FOLLOW THE ANTEATERS
UC Irvine vs George Mason
Friday, Sept. 3|  11:00 AM | Bren Events Center
Live Stats        ESPN+
 
UC Irvine vs Boise State
Friday, Sept. 3 | 7:00 PM | Bren Events Center
Live Stats       Watch
 
UC Irvine vs Southern Utah
Saturday, Sept. 4 | 7:00 AM | Bren Events Center
Live Stats       ESPN+

COMING TO THE BREN
UCI is excited to welcome fans back to the Bren Events Center. A few things have changed in 2021, so please make note of the following new requirements:

• Facial Coverings – All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask while indoors at UCI facilities. UCI Campus Face Covering Guidance
• Tickets – This season mobile-only ticketing has been implemented, enhancing the fan ticketing experience, allowing for contact-less entry. Tickets will be delivered to current emails on file.
• Clear Bag Policy - UCI has implemented a Clear bag policy in 2021. Only clear bags will be permitted with a maximum size of 12"x12"x6" — the size of a one-gallon freezer bag.

FIRST SERVE
UCI will host the UCI/adidas Invitational Friday and Saturday (Sept. 3-4) at the Bren Events Center. On Friday, the Anteaters open the tournament against George Mason at 11:00 a.m. then cap the night versus Boise State at 7:00 p.m. The tournament finale features UCI and Southern Utah on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
 
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 3
George Mason vs UCI                            11:00 a.m.
Southern Utah vs Boise State                 3:00 p.m.
Boise State vs UCI                                 7:00 p.m.
 
Saturday, Sept. 4
George Mason vs Southern Utah           10:00 a.m.
Boise State vs George Mason                3:00 p.m.
Southern Utah vs UCI                            7:00 p.m.
 
STORYLINES

UCI is 2-1 after logging wins over Idaho State (3-1) and Seattle U (3-0) at the Bengal Invitational. The Anteaters' loss came at the hands of UTEP in five sets.
 
It was the first opening match win since 2017.
 
Middle blocker Onye Ofoegbu and Joy Umeh were both named to the all-tournament team.
 
Boise State started the year with wins over Dixie State (3-1) and Long Beach State (3-2) before dropping a 3-1 loss to Montana State.
 
Boise State, a former Big West member, owns an 8-4 series record. The Broncos beat UCI 3-0 in Boise at the Boise State Classic in 2019.
 
Southern Utah lost to No. 15 BYU (0-3) and UNLV (0-3) before beating Long Island 3-2 last week.
 
The Thunderbirds and Anteaters last met in Irvine in 2018 when the UCI beat SUU, 3-0.
 
George Mason defeated American (3-1) and Howard (3-0) to start the year.
 
This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
  
UCI leads the Big West in kills (165) and hitting percentage (.279). The Anteaters' .359 hitting percentage against Seattle U is the best in the league this year.
 
Ofoegbu is ranked 15th nationally in total blocks (18) and 19th in points (59.5).
 
OFOEGBU AND UMEH DOMINATE
Sophomores Onye Ofoegbu and Joy Umeh started the year with a bang, leading the Anteaters in the first weekend.

Ofoegbu led UCI in two of three matches last week, averaging 3.83 kills and 1.50 blocks over 12 sets. Offensively, she posted double-digit kills in all three matches, notching a career-high 19 kills in the season opener versus Idaho State. In the tournament finale, the middle blocker hit a season-high .526 (12-2-19) and recorded a career-high nine total blocks (1 solo, 8 assisted). Her block total was the most by an Anteater since Idara Akpakpa had nine (1 solo, 8 assisted) versus Hawaii on Sept. 23, 2018.

Umeh had a career-best 18 kills in each of the first two matches then recorded a .571 hitting percentage (8-0-14) against Seattle U. For the season, the outside hitter is averaging 3.67 kills per set.

FRESHMEN MARKING THEIR MARK
Marianna Bertolone is averaging 2.17 kills and 1.17 digs per set. The outside hitter recorded 10 kills and five digs in the season opener versus Idaho State then had a career-best 11 kills in the next match, hitting .348 (11-3-23), while adding a personal-best eight digs and two block assists against UTEP.

Grace Colburn is averaging 1.33 kills and 2.25 digs per set. She had seven kills versus Idaho State then recorded a career-high 13 digs against UTEP.

Ellen Veargason had a career-best six kills and five block assists in the win over Seattle U. The opposite is averaging 1.08 kills and 0.92 blocks per set.

OFF THE FINGERTIPS
Kelly Negron leads the squad with a 6.50 set assist average followed by Caitlin Kikta with a 4.75 mark.

Kikta had a pair of double-doubles with 22 assists and 10 digs versus Idaho State and 16 assists and a career-high 14 digs against Seattle U.

SKUKAN SCOOPS
Sophomore Sophia Skukan leads the Anteaters with a 3.00 dig average. The libero had a career and team-best 17 digs against UTEP.

AT THE NET
UCI had a season-high 9.5 blocks against Seattle U, which is the top mark in the Big West for a three-set match. Six different Anteaters have recorded at least one block.