Irvine, Calif. – Cal Baptist snapped a five-match losing streak against UC Irvine with a 3-1 (25-17, 25-23, 20-25, 25-19) victory at the Bren Events Center Wednesday.

The Anteaters fall to 2-7 overall and 1-6 in the MPSF, while Cal Baptist wins its first league match (1-6) and goes to 4-6 overall.

UCI was led by opposite Thomas Hodges with a career-high 11 kills and six digs. Outside hitters Tucker Pikula and Kyle Russell added seven and six kills, respectively. Setter Dante Chakravorti totaled 33 set assists and a career-best six digs. The Anteaters played without the services of outside hitter Tamir Hershko and setter Michael Saeta.   

A .168 (44-25-113) hitting percentage, 14 service errors and 14.5 Cal Baptist blocks were all problems for UCI.

Cal Baptist had a trio of players in double-digit kills, led by Enrique Garcia with 15 in 19 attempts and no errors (.789). He also had a match high eight block assists. Rocky DeLyon had 14 kills and Rohit Paul recorded 10 kills. Arturo Iglesias totaled 46 set assists.  

UCI had four straight errors which gave Cal Baptist a 14-11 lead in the first set. The Lancers would never relinquish the lead and win the set 25-17. UCI hit just .037 (7-6-27) for the set.

Cal Baptist carried the momentum in to the second set and would hold an 11-8 lead. Three kills and a block Marty Ross got the Anteaters back in the game at 12-12. Lancer kills by Cody Jackson and Rocky DeLyon gave Cal Baptist the 21-19 advantage and they would take the set 25-23.

A kill by Enrique Garcia gave Cal Baptist a 16-12 lead before the Anteaters rallied on a 7-0 run which included three kills by Thomas Hodges to put UCI in front, 19-16. A kill by Hodges would end the set 25-20 for the Anteaters.

Cal Baptist used a kill and block by Garcia to gain a two point edge (12-10) in the fourth set and that's all they needed as the Lancers went on to a 25-19. The Anteaters hit .000 (9-9-29).

UCI will be back in action Friday (Feb. 5) taking on USC at 7:00 p.m. in the Bren Center.