FOLLOW THE ANTEATERS
ADIDAS/UCI INVITATIONAL

New Mexico vs UC Irvine
Friday, Aug. 25 | 7:00 PM | Bren Events Center
Live Stats   ESPN+    

Seton Hall vs UC Irvine
Saturday, Aug. 26 | 5:00 PM | Bren Events Center
Live Stats    ESPN+ 

San Francisco vs UC Irvine
Sunday, Aug. 27 | 12:00 PM | Bren Events Center
Live Stats    ESPN+
 
FIRST SERVE
The Anteaters will host the adidas/UCI Invitational Friday-Sunday (Aug. 25-27) at the Bren Events Center to begin the 2023 season.

The Anteaters will take on Seton Hall Friday at 7:00 p.m. before entertaining San Francisco at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and New Mexico at 12:00 p.m. Sunday.

UCI matches will be streamed on ESPN+ with Robert Espero and Charlie Brande calling the action.

The Bren Events Center accepts mobile-only tickets and has a clear bag policy.
 
INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday, August 25
10:00 a.m.            New Mexico vs Seton Hall       
3:00 p.m.              Seton Hall vs San Francisco 
7:00 p.m.              New Mexico vs UC Irvine

Saturday, August 26
1:00 p.m.              San Francisco vs. New Mexico
5:00 p.m.              Seton Hall vs. UC Irvine

Sunday, August 27        
12:00 p.m.            San Francisco vs UC Irvine

STORYLINES
Overall, UCI ended the year with a 20-10 record, placing fifth among Big West teams (13-7).
 
The Anteaters were ranked sixth in the 2023 Big West Coaches Preseason Poll.
UCI graduated seven seniors last season and added seven newcomers, two freshman and five transfers.
 
A familiar face will be on the Anteater bench this season as former player Carly Moreno returns to serve as an assistant coach. Moreno as a member of the UCI team in 2021 and 2021.
 
THE OPPONENTS
New Mexico tied with San Diego State for fourth in the Mountain West Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
The Lobos were 17-12 on the season and 8-10 in conference in 2022. A veteran squad returns nine Lobos that combined for 70% of the teams points last season, highlighted by 2022 All-MWC outside hitter Kaitlyn Biassou.

Seton Hall finished 15-15 overall and 6-12 in the Big East a year ago. The Pirates were selected ninth in the Big East Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
In 2022, USF went 14-16 overall and 7-11 in the WCC. Abby Wadas returns after being selected as an All-WCC honorable mention while also earning a spot on the WCC's All-Freshman Team.
 
BEING BERTOLONE
Junior Marianna Bertolone is UCI's top offensive weapon after averaging 2.15 kills a year ago. She played in 111 sets, averaging 2.01 digs.
 
She recorded double-digit kills 10 times, including a career-high 20 kills in a win against UC Santa Barbara.
 
DIGGING MACHINE
Sophomore Campbell Jensen had an impressive freshman campaign, being named to the Big West All-Freshman Team and earning Freshman of the Week accolades three times.
 
She led the Big West in assist average with a 4.79 mark.

The sophomore recorded digs in double figures in all but four matches last season, including a career-high 32 digs at UC San Diego.
 
WELCOME TRANSFERS
UCI adds a wealth of experience with the addition of Isabella Scarlett, Ella Gardiner, Hunter Riedl, Lexi Gruszczynski and Becca Sakoda.

Scarlett, a middle blocker, comes to UCI from UC Riverside after averaging 2.53 kills and 3.01 points per set.

Gardiner, another middle blocker, played two seasons at Fairfield, made two NCAA appearances, and averaged 1.98 kills and 1.11 blocks in 2022.

Riedl, a powerful outside hitter joins the Anteaters from Sacred Heart where she will be returning to the court after an injury last fall.

Defensive players Gruszczynski and Sakoda come from Cal and Illinois, respectively. Both players will help anchor the defense.

FAB FRESHMEN
Along with the transfers, UCI welcomes two freshmen Nicole Feliciano and Maia Niemen, teammate from TStreet Volleyball Club.

Feliciano, a setter, was South Coast League MVP at Aliso Niguel High School, while Niemen, an outside hitter, was the Sea View League MVP from El Toro High School.