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The UCSB Men's Volleyball Roster 2025: 5 Key Players Set To Ignite The Gauchos' Big West Title Hunt

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The UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) Men's Volleyball team is gearing up for a high-stakes 2025 season, fueled by a mix of returning star power and promising new talent. As of December 26, 2025, the Gauchos are poised to make a significant leap in the highly competitive Big West Conference, with the official 2025 roster confirming a squad built for offensive firepower and defensive grit.

Following a challenging 2024 campaign that saw the team finish 9-18 overall and 2-8 in conference play, Head Coach Rick McLaughlin has assembled a roster focused on maximizing the potential of its veteran core, particularly the Preseason All-Big West selection, Geste Bianchi. The excitement is palpable as the team prepares to host the 60th Annual ASICS Invitational, marking the official start of their quest for a Big West title.

The 2025 UCSB Men's Volleyball Roster: Key Player Profiles and Full Squad Depth

The Gauchos' 2025 roster features a deep lineup of athletes from across the country, with a strong emphasis on experienced upperclassmen who have faced the rigors of the Big West schedule. The team's strategy hinges on the production of its top hitters and the leadership of its veteran setters and blockers. Here is a detailed look at the core of the 2025 UCSB Men's Volleyball squad, highlighting the players expected to lead the charge.

  • Geste Bianchi | Opposite | 6-6 | Redshirt Senior | Laguna Beach, Calif.
    The undisputed leader of the Gaucho offense. Bianchi was named to the Preseason All-Big West Team, a testament to his explosive hitting ability. In the previous season, he recorded a phenomenal 468 kills, ranking fifth all-time in the UCSB record book for kills in the rally-scoring era, alongside 139 digs, 48 blocks, and 37 aces. His ability to score from the right side will be crucial for the team’s success.
  • Ben Coordt | Outside Hitter | 6-4 | Redshirt Junior | Hermosa Beach, Calif.
    A dynamic outside hitter who provides both high-volume offense and efficiency. Coordt had several standout performances in the previous season, including a match where he recorded 15 kills with an impressive .542 hitting percentage. He is a primary passing option and a key component of the team's serve-receive game.
  • Owen Birg | Outside Hitter/Opposite | 6-8 | Redshirt Junior | Thousand Oaks, Calif.
    Birg offers valuable versatility, capable of playing both outside hitter and opposite. His 6-foot-8 frame makes him a formidable presence at the net, both for attacking and blocking. His development into a consistent scoring threat will be vital in supporting Bianchi.
  • Sam Meister | Middle Blocker | 6-5 | Redshirt Junior | Santa Barbara, Calif.
    The local product provides a strong defensive anchor in the middle. As a middle blocker, Meister's role is to disrupt the opponent's offense with blocking and score efficiently on quick attacks. His experience and connection with the setters will be key to controlling the tempo of the game.
  • George Bruening | Middle Blocker | 6-8 | Redshirt Junior | Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
    Another towering middle blocker who adds significant size and depth to the front row. Bruening is expected to compete for a starting spot and provide consistent blocking and hitting presence alongside Meister.
  • Jack Walmer | Setter | 6-2 | Redshirt Junior | Manhattan Beach, Calif.
    The orchestrator of the offense. Walmer’s decision-making and court vision are paramount to distributing the ball effectively to the team’s powerful array of hitters.
  • Riggs Guy | Libero | 6-0 | Redshirt Senior | Laguna Beach, Calif.
    The defensive specialist responsible for controlling the backcourt. Guy's passing and digging skills are essential for keeping the Gauchos in system and turning defense into offense.

The Coaching Staff: Veteran Leadership Under Rick McLaughlin

The UCSB Men's Volleyball program is guided by a highly respected and experienced coaching staff, led by Head Coach Rick McLaughlin. McLaughlin, who has been at the helm since June 2008, is one of the longest-tenured and most successful coaches in the program's history.

McLaughlin's vision for the Gauchos emphasizes a fast-paced, high-flying offensive system combined with disciplined defense. His longevity and consistent ability to recruit top-tier talent have kept UCSB competitive in the nation's toughest conference, the Big West.

The continuity in the coaching staff is a major strength for the 2025 squad. McLaughlin is supported by Associate Head Coach Blaine Nielsen, who plays a critical role in strategic planning and player development. Assistant Coaches Randy DeWeese and Jonah Seif round out the staff, bringing a wealth of technical knowledge and recent playing experience to the practice court.

2025 Season Outlook: Can Geste Bianchi Lead the Gauchos to a Big West Breakthrough?

The 2025 season presents a clear opportunity for the UCSB Gauchos to rebound from their sub-.500 finish in the previous year and make a serious run at the Big West Tournament. The team's overall 9-18 record and 2-8 conference finish in 2024 were not indicative of their talent, often struggling against a schedule that featured numerous nationally ranked opponents.

The Bianchi Factor and Offensive Firepower

The team’s success will heavily rely on the continued dominance of Geste Bianchi. As one of the most prolific scorers in the country, Bianchi draws significant defensive attention, which in turn opens up opportunities for other key hitters like Ben Coordt and Owen Birg. The Gauchos' offensive ceiling is incredibly high when their primary attackers are clicking.

However, the Gauchos must improve their consistency, particularly in closing out tight matches. The Big West Conference is a gauntlet, featuring perennial national title contenders. Every match, especially against conference rivals like Hawai'i, Long Beach State, and UC Irvine, will be a test of mental fortitude and execution.

The Defensive Strategy and Front-Row Presence

Defensively, the Gauchos possess the size to compete with any team. The 6-8 presence of Owen Birg and the athleticism of middle blockers Sam Meister and George Bruening provide a formidable blocking wall. Improving the block-defense synergy—the relationship between the front-row block and the back-row defense led by the libero, Riggs Guy—will be essential to increasing the team's overall efficiency. A strong defensive foundation will allow the team to transition into offense more smoothly, reducing unforced errors.

The Road Ahead: Key Matches and Tournament Aspirations

The 2025 season kicks off with the traditional 60th Annual ASICS Invitational, a crucial opportunity for the Gauchos to test their new lineups and build early-season momentum against non-conference opponents. Playing at home in Rob Gym provides an immediate advantage, allowing the team to settle in before the demanding Big West schedule begins.

The ultimate goal for UCSB is to secure a strong seed in the Big West Tournament, which would position them for a potential deep run and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. To achieve this, the Gauchos will need to find a way to flip the results of the close conference matchups that slipped away in the previous season. The combination of veteran leadership, explosive offense, and a well-coached system suggests that 2025 could be the year the Gauchos break through and challenge for the top spot in the conference standings.

Fans should expect a thrilling season of high-level volleyball, with the Gauchos' powerful roster ready to prove they belong among the nation's elite.

ucsb men's volleyball roster
ucsb men's volleyball roster

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