This weekend, UC Slam Diego’s A and B squads headed to Irvine for the SCCVL West Region Challenge, one of the toughest tournaments on the calendar and a key proving ground before nationals. Both teams brought the fire, showcasing grit, growth, and a healthy dose of chaos.

A-team ended the first day with a surprise loss to UCSB B in pool play, a reminder that no match can be taken lightly in a tournament this stacked. They regrouped and came into the first round of gold bracket play with renewed focus, facing off against University of Colorado—the eventual tournament champions. The match was an all-out battle, with UCSD pushing Colorado to the limit in a thrilling showdown that showed the team’s depth and resilience. While the loss ended their bracket run early, it was clear that the A-team can hang with the best. Special shoutout to team captain Kaz Veitas, who went an unreal 7-for-8 on coin tosses—a stat that might just be the spiritual MVP of the weekend.

The B-team had a wild ride of their own in Division III, navigating a pool full of upsets. After a strong win over CSU Long Beach and a tough loss to UCR, they secured second place in their pool and punched their ticket to the gold bracket with a solid crossover win against Pomona. Their rematch with UCR in the bracket was one for the books, with the first set stretching to an intense 29-27. Though they ultimately fell short, the performance showed just how far this squad has come.

Both teams continue to build chemistry, sharpen their skills, and embrace the chaos that makes this game so electric. With this being the last tournament before nationals, UC Slam Diego is locked in and hungry for more.