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mvb v. uc santa cruz
Kin Lee
3
Winner UC Santa Cruz UCSC 1-0,0-0 DIII Independent
2
Menlo Menlo 0-2,0-0 MPSF
Winner
UC Santa Cruz UCSC
1-0,0-0 DIII Independent
3
Final
2
Menlo Menlo
0-2,0-0 MPSF
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
UC Santa Cruz UCSC 20 25 19 25 15 (3)
Menlo Menlo 25 23 25 14 4 (2)

Next Match:

Vassar College

1/14/2026 | 6:00 PM

Next Match

Full Schedule
Jan. 14 (Wed) / 6:00 PM
 Vassar College
History

Game Recap: Men's Volleyball | | Riley J. Siason

Durfee and Carson Lead Oaks to Five Sets Despite Falling to Banana Slugs

ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Men's Volleyball battled through a tightly contested, five-set thriller against the Bana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz inside of Haynes Prim Pavilion, ultimately falling in the final set in the Oaks' second match of the 2026 season.
 
Match Notes
  • Ty Carson led the Oaks with 13 points, tallying 10 kills, 1 ace along with 4 block assists defensively.
  • Mathias Durfee would make his season debut with career highs of 9 kills and five block assists.
  • Gabriel Ocasio Lopez recorded 32 assists, directing a balanced Menlo offense.
  • Freshman Max Jarrett would lead the Oaks in total blocks with 8 on the night.
 
Five-Set Thriller
The Oaks would end up battling for points against the Banana Slugs in the first set with no clear sight of who was going  gain momentum. Both programs would force each other into multiple attacking and serving errors, but Menlo would go on a late four-point run to claim the first set 25-20.
 
UC Santa Cruz answered back in the second set, using a late scoring surge to edge Menlo in a tight frame. Despite staying within striking distance, the Banana Slugs capitalized late by earning a couple kills to end the set Mark Ensalaco was the main contributor for the Oaks with 3 kills on 8 attempts while assisting in four blocks to earn 4.5 total points in the set.
 
The Oaks responded with their strongest showing so far this season in the third set, reclaiming momentum while forcing UC Santa Cruz to 11 offensive errors. Menlo pulled away midway through the set by earning five kills to claim the set 25-19.
 
With their backs on the wall, UC Santa Cruz delivered the decisive set in the match, jumping to an early lead and maintaining that pressure throughout the set. The Oaks fought tooth and nail to find any sort of momentum. However the Banana Slug's offense proved to be too much as they took the fourth set 25-14.
 
UC Santa Cruz carried its momentum in the final set, opening with a strong scoring run that forced the Oaks to struggle finding a solution. Despite a brief response from Menlo, the Slugs controlled the set to earn the victory 15-4 in five sets.
 
Up Next…
The Oaks will take on Vassar College in an exhibition match in side of Haynes-Prim Pavilion on Wednesday, January 14 at 6PM.
 
Fans can follow the action all season long on menloathletics.com, with access to livestats, livestream coverage, and ticket information.
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Players Mentioned

Ty Carson

#1 Ty Carson

OH
6' 4"
Sophomore
Mathias Durfee

#3 Mathias Durfee

OPP/OH
6' 4"
Senior
Mark Ensalaco

#2 Mark Ensalaco

OPP
6' 5"
Sophomore
Max Jarrett

#20 Max Jarrett

MB
6' 5"
Freshman
Gabriel Ocasio Lopez

#9 Gabriel Ocasio Lopez

S
6' 0"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Ty Carson

#1 Ty Carson

6' 4"
Sophomore
OH
Mathias Durfee

#3 Mathias Durfee

6' 4"
Senior
OPP/OH
Mark Ensalaco

#2 Mark Ensalaco

6' 5"
Sophomore
OPP
Max Jarrett

#20 Max Jarrett

6' 5"
Freshman
MB
Gabriel Ocasio Lopez

#9 Gabriel Ocasio Lopez

6' 0"
Graduate Student
S
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