UCI Dominates at the Net in 3-1 Victory at CSUN

Saturday, October 17

Northridge, Calif.

4:00 PM

UC Irvine

8-11,6-2Big West

CSUN

8-10,4-4Big West

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
UC Irvine	25	26	19	25	3
CSUN	15	24	25	20	1

Box Score (PDF)

Nicole Feliciano and Taylor Boice go up for a double block in an NCAA women's volleyball match.

Photo by: Matt Brown

UCI Dominates at the Net in 3-1 Victory at CSUN

October 17, 2026 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - UC Irvine women's volleyball blocked its way to a 3-1 win over CSUN Saturday at Premier America Credit Union Arena. Set scores were 25-15, 26-24, 19-25, 25-20.

The Anteaters (8-11, 6-2 Big West) were dominant at the net, outblocking the Matadors, 13.5-to-5. UCI also hit .292 against CSUN, which started the week ranked ninth in the nation in opponent hitting percentage (.153) and 11th in blocks per set (2.83).

The 'Eaters were unstoppable in the first set where they had 15 kills and only one error on 28 swings. They cooled off slightly in the second, but came up big down the stretch, erasing deficits of 22-14 and 24-20 to take a 2-0 lead in the match. The Matadors were able to avoid the sweep before UCI put them away in the fourth to secure its sixth win in its last seven contests.

For the second night in a row, sophomore Abby Pekrul set a career high in kills, finishing with 14 on .591 hitting. Freshman Taylor Boice joined her in double figures with 12 kills (.588), while recording a career-best nine blocks (2 solo, 7 block assists).

Senior Lois Hansen added a season-best nine kills, and freshman Memphis Burnett had eight.

Senior setter Nicole Feliciano totaled 25 assists, eight kills, and seven digs. Sophomore setter Angelina Dellutri also had 23 assists and eight digs. Junior libero Whitney Wallace continued to be a steady presence in the back row with 18 digs and three aces. Junior Ava Gronemeyer chipped in four kills and five blocks.

Hailey Brockway paced CSUN with 20 kills and 10 digs.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The first set went back-and-forth before kills from Boice and Pekrul gave UC Irvine a 6-4 lead. The Anteaters stayed out front and used a 12-3 run, capped by a Hansen kill, to break it open at 19-9. The 'Eaters led by at least eight the rest of the way with a Jessica Bates/Boice double block sealing the 25-15 victory.

It was a seesaw battle in set two with seven ties until CSUN broke an 8-8 deadlock with seven unanswered points. The Matadors continued to roll, going up 22-14 when UCI staged its comeback. The Anteaters reeled off five-straight points, but CSUN scored two of the next three for set point at 24-20. UC Irvine then took control with a 6-0 rally capping an improbable 26-24 win. Three-straight blocks from Gronemeyer and Boice gave the 'Eaters their first lead (25-24) since holding a 3-2 edge.

The third set looked similar to the second, but this time CSUN was able to finish strong for the win. The Matadors pulled ahead by six and after UCI cut the deficit to three at 18-15, they held steady for the 25-19 victory.

UC Irvine went on top, 9-4, on a Kaia Ciszewski ace early in the fourth frame. CSUN then used a 5-1 spurt to close the gap to one, but the Anteaters responded with a 4-0 stretch that ended with back-to-back kills from Gronemeyer for a 14-9 lead. The Matadors made another comeback attempt, this time tying it up at 17-17, but the 'Eaters put their foot on the gas, scoring eight of the next 11 points for the 25-20 win.

UP NEXT: UCI is set to face UC San Diego twice next week, heading to La Jolla on Friday, Oct. 23, before hosting the Tritons at the Bren Events Center on Saturday, Oct. 24.

NOTES
• UC Irvine remained in a tie for second in the Big West standings.
• Abby Pekrul combined for 24 kills (3.00/set) on .488 hitting in the Anteaters' 2-0 weekend.
• Pekrul was averaging 1.40 kills per set (.155) entering this week's matches.
• Whitney Wallace has reached double digits in digs in 16 consecutive outings.
• Taylor Boice had her team-leading 10th double-digit kill match.
• The 'Eaters have won 10 of their last 11 meetings with CSUN.