DAVIS, Calif. -- Senior libero Malia Bolko became the school's all-time career digs leader, while senior outside hitter Emily Allen achieved both her 1,000th career kill and 1,000th career dig, but UC Davis ultimately lost in four sets to UC Santa Barbara, 25-18, 24-26, 25-22, 26-24, in Big West Conference women's volleyball action at the Pavilion Saturday afternoon.

Bolko had a team-high 27 digs to bring her career total to 1,833 -- two ahead of previous school record-holder Avreeta Singh. Allen had nine kills and 14 digs, lifting her respective career totals to 1,004 and 1,004. She is the 10th member of the 1,000 club in each category, and just the fourth player in UC Davis history to reach both thresholds.

The Aggies slip to 16-11 for the year and 8-7 in conference. The Gauchos improve to 15-11 overall and even their Big West ledger to 7-7.

Saturday's match also served as a Senior Day farewell to Bolko, Allen, outside hitter Brianna Karsseboom, middle blocker Lauren Jackson, setter Maddie Merlino and opposite Nicola Moore, each of whom competed in her final home match at the Pavilion. 

Each UC Davis senior contributed significantly in the match. In addition to Bolko and Allen achieving program milestones, Karsseboom led the team offensively with 16 kills and a .351 average. Moore provided another 11 kills and a .370 success rate. Jackson hit 6-1-11 (.455) with three blocks, while Merlino rotated in as part of the team's 6-2 system for 13 assists, an ace and seven digs.

Additionally, freshman middle blocker Josie Ough led all players with a career-high nine blocks, while sophomore setter Paloma Bowman provided 22 assists and 12 digs.

Ultimately, the UCSB triple threat of Lindsey Ruddins (23 kills), Rowan Ennis (18 kills, .457) and Gigi Ruddins (14 kills) carried the day offensively, while senior libero Emilia Petrachi picked up 28 digs. The Gauchos also served up 14 aces, including six from the hand of junior Torre Glasker.

UC Davis struggled to just .132 hitting in its opening set, but improved to as high as .262 and .293 in the third and fourth, respectively. The Aggies faced the possibility of a 2-0 match deficit by the break when the Gauchos held a 22-17 lead late in the second. However, UC Davis answered with a 9-2 run, getting aces from Bolko and Allen plus two Karsseboom kills in that stretch.

UCSB flipped that script in the third, however, recovering from a 21-16 hole with a 9-1 comeback to close out. Glasker had three aces while Nicole Omwanghe blocked two shots in the Gaucho comeback. The fourth set saw the closest overall battle, with 12 ties and four lead changes. Lindsey Ruddins had seven kills in that fourth, including one to establish a 25-24 match point. An Aggie shot went into the tape for an error and the match-winner on the next serve.

Bolko began the season with 1,414 digs and the No. 4 spot on the school career leaderboard. She passed Mary McClelland (2001-04) and Kayla Varney (2007-10) early in the season, saw her progress slowed by a brief injury hiatus, then entered Saturday's match needing 26 to eclipse Singh (2006-09). 

Allen entered the match with 995 kills and 990 digs. Only Candy Lench (1989-92), Jill Changaris (1993-96) and Kelly Gaudino (2000-03) were members of the 1,000 clubs in both categories prior to Saturday's Senior Day matchup.

UC Davis ends its 2018 season with a Big West road match at Hawai'i on Friday. Match time is 9 p.m. Pacific. 
 

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ABOUT UC DAVIS: Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal, and among the top 10 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.

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