SANTA BARBARA, CA – The Emmanuel Men's Volleyball team kicked off their 2025 season with a trip out west to face #16 UC- Santa Barbara. Emmanuel was tested early against the Gauchos, falling in the first set 25-8. The second set was a battle, with the Gauchos scoring the final two points to take it 25-23. UC-Santa Barbara finished strong, taking the third set 25-11 to earn a 3-0 win. With the loss, the Lions fall to 0-1 on the season. 
 
The two teams traded points early in set one before the Gauchos took control with a 6-0 run to go up 10-4. The Gauchos continued to control the pace of the set with 15 kills and 2 service aces. UC-Santa Barbara took set one, 25-8. 
 
The Lions responded well in the second set. UC-Santa Barbara took an early 3-2 lead, but the Lions forced an attack error to take the lead 4-3. The Lions held onto the lead for much of the second set, with 13 kills.   Midway through the set, the Lions went on a 3-0 run to push their lead to 16-12, with kills by Ed-Verian Basson and Aidan Feeney. The Gauchos responded well to tie things at 21 and finished the set outscoring the Lions 4-2 to take the second set, 25-23. 
 
The Gauchos carried the momentum into the third set, quickly jumping out to a 7-2 lead.The Lions answered back with kills by Feeney and Noah Langelier to make it 9-7, but the Gauchos scored the next five points to push their lead to 14-7. The home team finished the set on a 10-2 run to take the set, 25-11 and the game, 3-0.
 
The Lions finished the game with 20 kills, 20 assists, 21 digs and 3 blocks. Aidan Feeney led the way for Emmanuel with 6 kills on the night, with Thijs Van der Wal contributing 4. Greg Bodus had 3 blocks, while Ariq Casas added 17 assists. Feeney and Josh Staehler led the Lions in digs with 6. 
 
The Lions will continue their road trip on Saturday with a game against #7 University of Southern California. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.