Irvine, Calif. – UC Irvine defeated neighbor Concordia, 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23, 15-7) in an exhibition match at Crawford Court Wednesday.

After splitting the first four sets, UCI jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead in the fifth game then Connor Hughes had a solo block to extend the Anteater cushion to 6-2. UCI would go on to take the set 15-7 and the match 3-2.

Junior outside hitter Connor Hughes led UCI with 16 kills and four digs. Outside hitter Jeremy Dejno added 11 kills, while middle blocker Scott Kevorken added eight kills, four aces and five block assists. Opposite Zack La Cavera and outside hitter Kyle Russell each recorded four kills. Russell also added three aces and four digs.  Middle blocker Ian Castellana played in three sets and totaled three kills. Setters Chris Austin and Daniel Stork recorded 19 and 18 set assists, respectively. Stork also tallied three block assists in three sets.

Concordia was led by Dillion Auxier with 14 kills. Naseri Tumanuvao had 11 kills and a match-high eight digs, while Mark Metrakos added 10 kills in the loss.

Tonight's match was the first ever for Concordia as men's volleyball debuted as a sport at the Irvine campus. The Eagles will compete in the NAIA.

UCI will open the regular season at the UC Santa Barbara Invitational on Friday at 10:00 a.m. against Cal Baptist.

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