9/23: College Women’s Volleyball: Hawai‘i at UCSB A marquee matchup opens the Big West season. UCSB (9-4) has notched the most nonconference wins, but No. 14–ranked Hawai‘i (7-4) comes in as the defending champion (16-0 in the Big West last year). Dave Shoji, a UCSB graduate, is in his 42nd season as coach of the Rainbow Wahine. In Nicole Lantagne Welch’s first three years as coach of the Gauchos, they have gone 1-5 against Hawai‘i. UCSB’s Lindsey Ruddins, a 6′2″ outside hitter from Laguna Niguel, has won the Big West Freshman of the Week award three times in the past month. Fans can greet her and other Gaucho women after Friday’s match in a “Meet the Team” event. 7pm. UCSB’s Thunderdome. $5-$8. Call 893-UCSB (8272) or visit ucsbgauchos.com.
