UC Irvine
Kansas State
UC Irvine Falls In Season Opener to No. 22 Kansas State
August 24, 2012 | Women's Volleyball
MANHATTAN, KS --- UC Irvine was unable to overcome No. 22 ranked Kansas State, falling 25-10, 25-18, 25-12 to the Wildcats to open the season in Manhattan, KS at the Varney Invitational.
"I thought we served and passed really well," said head coach Paula Weishoff. "Kansas State is a very good team and better than their ranking. Marissa Alvarez set a nice game and I know this team will continue to compete and battle against Oregon State and Oakland."
The Anteaters were led by redshirt freshman, Marisa Bubica, who posted nine kills for the team high. Aly Squires and Taylor Smith each chipped in five kills. Kristin Winkler led all players with 15 digs while Smith led UCI at the net with four blocks. Marissa Alvarez paced the team with 18 assists.
UCI trailed early in the first set, falling behind 5-0 on a pair of Wildcat blocks and an ace by Kaitlynn Pelger. The lead expanded to 10 points at 15-5, forcing UCI to use its second timeout and Kansas State's blocking game denied Squires at the net for set point.
The second set proved to be closer as the Anteaters stayed within five but were unable to close the deficit, falling behind two sets.
It was all Kansas State in the final set as the Wildcats jumped out to a 12-point lead. The Anteaters would come as close as 10 at 21-10 and K-State would turn to Natali Jones for the final kill to seal the match.
K-State's Lilla Porubek led all players with 10 kills while Alex Muff put up six block assists for the match high, leading the Wildcats to a 10-5 block advantage.
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