FIRST SERVE
UC Irvine hits the road, traveling to Cal Poly Friday (Oct. 17) at the Mott Athletics Center at 6:00 p.m. then UC Santa Barbara Saturday (Oct. 18) at the Thunderdome at 7:00 p.m.

STORYLINES
UCI is 7-11 overall and 2-4 in the Big West.

Entering the week, UCI is in a five-way tie for sixth place with Cal State Fullerton, UC Riverside, Hawaii and UC San Diego.

UCI split a pair of matches last week, falling to CSU Bakersfield (1-3) before beating CSUN, 3-1 at the Bren Events Center.

UCI had four players with double-digit kills against the Matadors three collecting career-highs. Senior Kendra Duffey led the Anteaters with a career-tying 18 kills followed by career-bests from middle blocker Ally Bolden (13) and Madison Triplett (11).

UCI had a season-high 10 aces versus the Roadrunners. Six different Anteaters recorded an ace, led by freshman Angelina Dellutri's career-best three.

Duffey led the Anteaters against CSUB with 14 kills, eight digs, three block assists and an ace.

UC Irvine leads the Big West in digs with a 14.65 average.

The Anteaters are ranked 51st nationally in total blocks with 160.5.

FAMILIAR FACES
Pin hitters Lois Hansen and Madison Triplett transferred to UCI after starting their careers at UC Santa Barbara.

Hansen is averaging 2.08 kills and 0.71 blocks this season. She has recorded five matches with double-figure kills, including the last two outings. Hansen had a career-high 14 kills at Vanderbilt and a career-best seven total blocks (2 solo) at UC Davis.

Triplett is averaging 1.29 kills and 2.08 digs over 48 sets. The sophomore had her first career double-double in the last match with 11 kills and 11 digs against CSUN. She had three matches with double-figure digs, including a career-high 17 versus UC Davis.
 
THE OPPONENTS
Cal Poly is 9-0 at home this season and is riding a two-match winning streak.
 
The Mustangs are 13-5 overall and 4-2 in the Big West.
 
Cal Poly beat UC Santa Barbara 3-2 last week before sweeping Hawaii on the road.
 
The Mustangs have taken the last four meetings against the Anteaters. UCI last won at the Mott Athletics Center on Nov. 25, 2022 claiming a 3-1 victory.
 
The Gauchos enter the week 12-6 overall and 4-2 in the Big West and will play Cal State Fullerton before entertaining UCI.
 
Last week, UCSB split a pair of matches falling to Cal Poly in five and beating Hawaii 3-1.
 
UC Santa Barbara is 5-1 at home this season.

UCI beat the Gauchos 3-1in Irvine last year before losing in five in Santa Barbara.
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
UC Irvine is second in the Big West in opponent hitting percentage with a .191 mark and are fourth in blocks (2.43).
 
Individually, libero Campbell Jensen is second in dig average (4.44), while middle blocker Sydnee Rowe is third in blocking (1.15). Setter Nicole Feliciano is 10th in set assists at 6.31 and outside hitter Kendra Duffey is 12th in points with a 3.28 average.

NEXT TUESDAY
UCI will host Hawaii Tuesday (Oct. 21) in the lone meeting of the year between the teams at 6:00 p.m. in the Bren Events Center.

The visit to Irvine is the last in a three-match road swing for the Rainbow Wahine. Hawaii will play at Long Beach State and UC San Diego before meeting the Anteaters.

It will be the last regular season meeting as members of the Big West as UH will become a member of the Mountain West Conference next season.