THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Illinois Tech men's volleyball team concluded their California trip as the Scarlet Hawks dropped a match to University of California-Santa Cruz, 3-1, who is receiving votes in the latest NCAA Division III Poll.

The Slugs (5-5) defeated the Scarlet Hawks (0-4) in four sets (25-14, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22) at the Soiland Arena. 

How It Happened

•  UC-Santa Cruz took the first set, 25-14.
•  The Slugs were able to go ahead two sets to zero after taking the second one 25-19.
•  Illinois Tech fought back and won the third set, 25-21.
•  The Scarlet Hawks almost forced a fifth, winner-take-all set but UC-Santa Cruz won 25-22. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

•  Andriy Bench led Illinois Tech with 14 kills.
•  Easton Kays also had double-digit kill numbers with 11.
•  Lukasz Kupiec recorded 10 kills for the Scarlet Hawks.
•  Michael Ganczar had another big day setting people up for attacks, picking up 35 assists and seven digs.
•  Evan Robeck had good positioning near the net all game, able to record five blocks.

Up Next

• Illinois Tech returns to action Friday, February 8 as the Scarlet Hawks travel to the Milwaukee School of Engineering to take on the Raiders starting at 7:00 p.m. CT.