Irvine, Calif. – No. 1 UC Irvine opened the season with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-15) victory over Concordia Friday at the CU Arena.

Opposite Zack La Cavera led all players with 19 kills, hitting .515 (19-2-33). Senior outside hitter Jeremy Dejno totaled nine kills, while junior outside hitter Travis Woloson and middle blocker Scott Kevorken each added eight kills. All-American Michael Brinkley had a team-best seven digs and freshman setter Michael Saeta recorded 43 set assists.

The Anteaters hit .466 (51-10-88) as a team, while the Eagles struggled offensively hitting .176 (26-13-74). UCI out-blocked Concordia 7.5-3.

Concordia's Parker Del Re led the Eagles with nine kills. Harrison Carroll had five kills and Kevin Fiske totaled 20 set assists.

With the score tied 17-17 in the first set, UCI used kills by Zack La Cavera and Scott Kevorken followed by an ace by Jeremy Dejno to take a 20-17 lead. Back to back kills by La Cavera gave the Anteaters the set 25-21. Denjo had five kills on five attempts in the game.

Concordia jumped out to a quick 6-3 lead in the second set before the Anteaters went on a 11-2 run which included three kills and an ace by La Cavera to open a 14-8 advantage. Two more kills by La Cavera gave UCI the 18-10 lead. UCI would score five of the last six points and win the second set 25-13 on a Concordia service error.

UCI started the third set with a 6-1 lead and went on to win the set 25-15 on a Dejno kill.

The two-time defending champions will host the University of British Columbia (2:00 p.m.) and Red Deer College (5:00 p.m.) on Dec. 28 at Crawford Court.