SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The Wabash College volleyball team closed out its spring break trip to California on Wednesday with a pair of losses, falling 3–0 to Kean University before dropping a 3–1 decision to ninth-ranked UC Santa Cruz in the final match of the day at West Field House. Wabash dropped the opening contest to Kean by set scores of 25-19, 25-19, and 25-16 before battling UC Santa Cruz in the nightcap, ultimately falling 21-25, 25-20, 25-18, and 25-20.
The Little Giants finished the California portion of their trip after playing three nationally ranked opponents during the week. Kean defeated UC Santa Cruz 3–2 in the opening match of the three-team event before the Little Giants faced both opponents later in the day.
Kean 3, Wabash 0
Kean seized early momentum in the first match of the day, using steady offensive production and efficient serving to secure the straight-set victory.
The Cougars built separation midway through the opening set, turning a narrow lead into a 25-19 win behind a late scoring run. Kean again controlled the middle portion of the second set, pulling away from a tight score to capture another 25-19 decision.
Wabash attempted to regroup in the third set and stayed within striking distance early before Kean used a late surge to close out the match with a 25-16 win.
Jaden Greenwell led the Wabash offense with 15 kills while hitting an efficient .467 with only one attack error in 30 swings. Bawibawi Thang added nine kills and posted a .304 hitting percentage, while Ben Donaldson contributed four kills while hitting .250.
Shad Wilson added five kills and three digs, while Patrick Volk finished with two kills.
Setter Matthew Stitle directed the Wabash offense with 28 assists while adding seven digs. Libero Zev Wolverton anchored the defense with six digs.
As a team, Wabash produced 33 kills while adding 30 digs and three total blocks in the match.
No. 9 UC Santa Cruz 3, Wabash 1
The Little Giants bounced back with a strong start in the final match of the day against the nationally ranked Banana Slugs.
Wabash controlled much of the opening set, using balanced offense and solid defense to secure a 25-21 victory and take the early lead.
UC Santa Cruz responded in the second set, turning a tight contest into a 25-20 win to even the match at one set apiece. The Banana Slugs maintained the momentum in the third set, gradually extending their advantage to claim a 25-18 victory.
Wabash battled throughout the fourth set and remained close late before UC Santa Cruz closed the match with a 25-20 decision.
Thang delivered one of his strongest performances of the trip with 17 kills while hitting .303 and adding eight digs. Wilson matched him with 17 kills, hitting .176 while contributing seven digs.
Greenwell added 13 kills while hitting an efficient .571, committing only one error in 21 attempts. Volk contributed eight kills and a block.
Stitle finished with 40 assists, two kills, nine digs, and two block assists while running a Wabash offense that produced 62 kills and a .250 team hitting percentage.
Wolverton led the defensive effort with 15 digs as the Little Giants totaled 44 digs and five team blocks.
Wabash returns to action on Friday, March 20 with a non-conference road rematch at Franklin College at 7 p.m. The Little Giants scored a 3-0 victory over Franklin earlier this season.
