IRVINE, Calif. – No. 8 UC Irvine was edged 3-2 (25-18, 21-25, 20-25, 25-20, 22-20) by No. 6 Lewis at the Bren Events Center Thursday.

COACH DAVID KNIFFIN SAID
"I'm proud our guys stayed composed and thought we battled against a very experienced team who I think will be at the NCAAs at the end of the year."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
>The bulk of the Anteater offense came from outside hitter Joel Schneidmiller (22) and opposite Alexandre Nsakanda (16)
>Outside hitter JB Kam had a solid match with eight kills and a team-high 10 digs
>The Anteaters held a 13-7 block advantage, but were out-aced 5-11. Scott Stadick had nine total blocks (3 solo, 6 assists)
>Lewis had a trio of players with double-figure kills led by Ryan Coenan with 19 kills, three aces and match-best 11 digs. Kyle Bugee added 15 kills and four aces, while TJ Murray had 12 kills

TURNING POINTS
SET ONE
>UCI moved out to a 12-10 lead on a kill by Joel Schneidmiller and a block by Scott Stadick and JB Kam
>Lewis would score the next six points to take a 16-12 advantage
>UCI would stop the streak with kill by Alexandre Nsakanda only to watch the Flyers put down three more (19-13)
>Lewis would not lose control and win the set on two Anteater errors, 25-18

SET TWO
>The Flyers started with a 6-0 lead which included three aces by Kylee Bugee
>UCI would chip away and tie the set on a run which included five consecutive Flyer errors
>The teams would remain close until UCI snuck ahead on a Nsakanda kill, Lewis bad set and a block by Sean Dennis, 22-19
> Kam would seal the comeback with an ace, 25-21

SET THREE
>UCI would go on a 6-2 run to jump ahead 17-13
>Lewis closed to 20-19 before the Anteaters had a kill by Nsakanda and two Lewis errors, the first a block by Stadick and Nsakanda, 23-19
>The set would end on a Flyer service error, 25-20

SET FOUR
>The teams were tied 13-13 when Lewis would score five unanswered, 18-13.  Bugee had three kills in the run
>The Flyers would win 25-20 on a kill by Bugee

SET FIVE
>A pair of Schneidmiller kills gave UCI an 11-8 lead
>Two Ryan Coenan kills helped Lewis tie the score at 12-12
>At 20-20, Lewis used a block assist and kill by Tyler Mitchem to clinch the 22-20 win  

NOTES
>UCI is 5-2 against Lewis all-time
>Libero AJ Faille played well on defense with nine digs