Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

IRVINE, Calif. --- Kristin Winkler set a UC Irvine match record with 35 digs but the Anteaters were unable to overcome a late Arizona State rally as UCI fell 25-21, 23-25, 25-13, 18-25, 15-11 Friday morning at the Bren Events Center.

Winkler, who also had two aces in the effort, set the record in 2011 with 34 digs against Portland State. The senior libero now has amassed 1,687 digs and is 69 digs from tying all-time dig leader, Devon Sutherland, who posted 1,756 from 2005-08.

Leading UCI offensively was Aly Squires, who knocked down 22 kills and had 16 digs to go along with four blocks. Marisa Bubica had 12 kills and 11 digs for a double-double while Shannon Fleming had seven block assists to lead UCI to a 14-8 block advantage at the net.

In the deciding frame, the Anteaters were unable to capitalize on a 10-7 as ASU scored six straight points to take a 13-10 lead before UCI halted the run on a kill from Squires. However, Sun Devil setter, Allison Palmer found Nora Tuioti-Mariner and then Whitney Follette to cap the come-back as ASU remains undefeated at 4-0.  

ASU took control in the first set, out-scoring UCI 5-1 to extend a one-point lead to five at 17-12. UCI came to within three points at 21-18 and again at 23-20, but following an attack error by Macey Gardner, Stephanie Preach found Gardner to win set No. 1.

In the second set, at 17-17, Arizona State scored four consecutive points to lead 21-17 and force UCI to use its final timeout. The Anteaters came out of the break with seven unanswered points to take a 24-21 advantage with Squires delivering on three straight plays. ASU closed the gap to one on a UCI attack error but Alvarez went to Squires again to tie the match.

The Sun Devils responded in the third frame, hitting .417 to cruise quickly to a 17-9 lead. The Anteaters were unable to counter, hitting .067 for the set and ASU took 2-1 set lead on the kill by Tuioti-Mariner.

In the fourth set, UCI's defense held ASU to a .087 hitting percentage. An Anteater triple block by Sydney Wright, Fleming and Squires sparked a four-point rally that gave UCI a 16-11 lead. At 22-17, an unforced error by ASU was followed by the block of Wright and Fleming, who teamed up to send back an attempt by Gardner, giving UCI set point. It would be the freshman, Wright, who would deliver the winning kill to force the fifth set.

UCI falls to 1-3 and will travel to Loyola Marymount tonight at 7:00 p.m. As part of the UCI-LMU Dual Tournament, ASU will play Colgate at the Bren Events Center at 7:00 p.m. Live stats and video streaming will be available for all matches at ucirvinesports.com.

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