Irvine, Calif. – Serving was key to No. 3 UC Irvine's 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-17) sweep of No. 9 UCLA in front of 2,014 fans at the Bren Events Center Friday.
The Anteaters improve to 15-3 overall and 10-2 in the MPSF, while UCLA falls to 8-6 on the year and 4-6 in the MPSF.
The Anteaters had nine aces to the Bruins' two and out-hit UCLA .317 to .045. UCLA had a slight edge at the net with 10.5 blocks to UCI's 10.
Outside hitter Tamir Hershko had a team-high 10 kills and three blocks, while opposite Zack La Cavera had a great all-around match with nine kills, four aces and five total blocks. Middle blocker Jason Agopian had a match-high seven blocks, while setter Michael Saeta totaled 24 set assists and three aces. Outside hitter Kyle Russell added two aces and three kills and Michael Brinkley posted a match-high eight digs.
UCLA was led by Michael Fisher with seven kills. Hagen Smith had a team-high five digs and 19 set assists.
Two Zack La Cavera service aces and a kill by Tamir Hershko opened a 14-8 lead for UCI in the first set. Four straight points by the Bruins narrowed the gap to 14-12, but following a UCLA service error, the Anteaters had an ace by Kyle Russell, a block by Andrew Benz and Michael Saeta to extend the advantage to 17-12. A kill by Michael Saeta gave UCI the 25-19 victory. Hershko would hit .714 with five kills on seven attempts and no errors.
Behind the strength of six blocks, UCI won the second set 25-17. UCLA would hold 7-5 lead before the Anteaters went on a 9-2 run which included two blocks to take control 14-10. The Anteaters would reject two more Bruin attempts to end the set.
UCI would score five straight to begin a 9-4 run which opened a 21-14 lead in the third set and UCI cruised to a 25-17 win.
The Anteaters will put their six-match winning streak on the line tomorrow as they take on No. 8 UC Santa Barbara at 7:00 p.m. in the Bren Center.
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