Box Score

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Arielle Manz put together an errorless match, converting on seven of 10 attempts for a career-high .700 hitting percentage to lead UC Irvine to a 25-9, 27-25, 25-17 sweep Friday night against UC Riverside. Manz's effort eclipses a then-personal-best .667 hitting percentage posted last week against Cal Poly and the middle blocker is now hitting .328 on the year. 

Manz also totaled four block assists to help the team to a 10-2 block advantage that held the Highlanders to a .049 hitting percentage. Cassidy Pickrell paced the team with 13 kills while Victoria Dennis chipped in eight kills and a solo block. Arden Davis led all players with 15 digs and Shelley Anderson totaled 33 assists, just missing a double-double with nine digs as UCI pulled even to 3-3 in the Big West ledger and is 13-7 overall.

The Anteaters scored six consecutive points to break away from a 4-4 tie in the first, taking a comfortable 10-4 lead. The gap widened to 10 points at 16-6 following a kill by Manz. Dennis put the ball away with a cross-court kill and Ashley Cox's attempt went into the net as UCI took a commanding 18-6 advantage. The Highlanders used their second timeout to regroup but the Anteaters cruised to a 25-9 win in the first.

The second set was evenly matched with the Highlanders struggling with a .176 clip. UCR battled to take an 11-8 lead as Amanda Press aced Lee, prompting an Anteater timeout. However, UCI quickly tied the score at 12-12 on a kill by Pickrell. The Highlanders edged ahead at 20-18 on the block by Sarah Bruchet and Press but the Anteaters remained within striking distance and tied the score at 22 points on an unforced miscue by Bri Holmes. The two teams traded points but at 25-25, Anderson went to Dennis on back-to-back plays and the outside hitter ended the frame with a cross-court kill as UCI grabbed the second set from the Highlanders. 

Anderson's solo block on Holmes forced a UCR timeout in the third with the Anteaters holding a 10-5 lead. Hitting negative .025, the Highlanders were unable to find their rhythm and UCI capitalized, stretching the gap to 16-7 following a four-point run. Riverside never threatened and Dennis' solo stuff on Kecia Ambers gave UCI match point. After Anderson was called for a bad set, Helena Peric ended the match with an attack error.

UCI hosts UC Davis Saturday at the Bren Center at 7:00 p.m.