Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. – No. 7 UC Irvine toppled No. 6 UCLA, 3-2 (25-23, 28-26, 22-25, 21-25, 15-17) in front of 2,253 fans during the Think Pink match at the Bren Center Friday.

The Anteaters remain undefeated in five set matches (5-0) and improve to 10-5 overall and 7-4 in the MPSF. UCLA goes to 10-7 on the season and 7-6 in league action.

Senior Tamir Hershko put away a season-high 23 kills to lead UCI. Outside hitter Thomas Hodges recorded 18 kills, while Aaron Koubi had a break-out night with a career-best 11 kills, two aces and 10 digs. Senior Michael Saeta totaled 52 set assist, eight digs, four kills and an ace, while freshman Scott Stadick had seven kills and three total blocks.

UCLA was led by Christian Hessenauer's 16 kills. Jake Arnitz added 13 kills and Dylan Missry had 11 kills in the loss. Micah Ma'a recorded 42 set assists, four kills and three block assists.

The Bruins dominated the net 12.5-4.0. UCLA held a slight edge in hitting (.354-.344) and aces (9-8) with UCI holding a 33-29 advantage in digs.

The teams were never farther apart than two points in the first set. The Anteaters used consecutive Bruin service, attack and ball handling errors to sneak ahead 24-22. After a UCLA kill, UCLA served in to the net to give UCI the set 25-23.

The second set was much like the first coming down to the final stretch. A block by Scott Stadick and Tamir Hershko gave UCI set point, 25-24. After trading points, Hershko had a kill and a service ace to end the set 28-26 for the Anteaters. 

UCLA had a kill by Dylan Missry followed by two UCI attack errors to open a 21-16 lead in the third set as the Bruins would go on to the 25-22 victory.

UCLA scored six straight to take control of the fourth set, 10-3. Trailing 20-13, UCI would score five of their own to close within 20-18, but the Bruins answered with the next two and won the set 25-21.

An ace gave UCLA match point 14-13, but the Bruins followed with an attack error, knotting the score at 14-14. Back-to-back kills by Aaron Koubi and Hershko sealed the win for UCI, 17-15.

Tonight was UCI's annual "Think Pink" event to support breast cancer awareness. The team honored Tee Sohacki, a two-time breast cancer survivor before the match.

The Anteaters will host No. 13 UC Santa Barbara tomorrow (Feb. 25) at 5:00 p.m. in Crawford Court.