Friday, September 18
Las Vegas, Nev.
2:00 PM
UC Irvine
vs
Southeastern Louisiana University
Women's Volleyball Closes Non-Conference Slate in Las Vegas
September 16, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
UC Irvine (1-8) vs.
Southeastern Louisiana (3-7)
Date:Â Friday, Sept. 18
Time:Â 2 p.m. (PDT)
Location:Â The Pavilion (2,500) - Las Vegas, Nev.
Live Stats
UC Irvine (1-8) at
UNLV (1-7)
Date:Â Saturday, Sept. 19
Time:Â 2 p.m. (PDT)
Location:Â The Pavilion (2,500) - Las Vegas, Nev.
Watch on MW+ |Â Live Stats
IRVINE, Calif. -Â UC Irvine women's volleyball closes out their non-conference schedule at The Rebel Challenge in Las Vegas this weekend. The Anteaters will face Southeastern Louisiana on Friday, Sept. 18, before taking on tournament host UNLV on Saturday, Sept. 19. Both matches are slated for a 2 p.m. start at The Pavilion.
FIRST SERVE
• The 'Eaters made their home debut last weekend, dropping a couple of close five-setters to LMU and San José State while also falling in three to Utah Tech. Junior libero Whitney Wallace and freshman middle Taylor Boice were named to the all-tournament team. Wallace averaged a team-best 4.85 digs per set. She registered a career-high 30 digs against the Spartans, which was the second most in the conference this season and tied for 15th in single-match school history. Her 22 digs against the Trailblazers are also the most by a Big West player in a three-set match in 2026. Boice led the Anteaters in kills (2.69/set) and blocks (1.08/set). She had a match-high 17 kills (.500), six blocks, and three aces vs. LMU, and totaled 10 kills and five blocks vs. SJSU.
• UC Irvine has a young team with nearly half of the roster comprised of true (5) and redshirt (3) freshmen. Four of the eight have started at least five matches (including libero). First-year middles Taylor Boice and Vani Tatoulian have been a force at the net for the 'Eaters. Boice, who has started every match, is tops on the squad with 2.63 kills per set on .337 hitting. Tatoulian, who has started five in a row, also leads the way with 1.11 blocks per set. She had a career-high 10 blocks (1 solo) this past Sunday against San José State.
• Sophomore Angelina Dellutri and senior Nicole Feliciano have shared the setting duties so far this season. Dellutri is averaging 5.57 assists per set, while Feliciano, who has played all the way around in the 6-2 system, sits at 4.00 assists, 2.55 digs, and 1.00 kills per set. Dellutri led the Anteaters in assists in six of their nine matches, and Feliciano ranks fifth in school history with 2,735 career assists.Â
• UCI has been one of the better defensive teams in the 12-member Big West, ranking among the top-five in digs (14.37/set), blocks (2.11/set), and opponent hitting percentage (.203).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Southeastern Louisiana (3-7) closed out a five-match homestand with a 3-1 loss to UL Lafayette on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Senior opposite Kyra McKelvey leads the Lions with 3.39 kills and 3.78 points per set.
UNLV (1-7) will be making its home debut at The Pavilion this weekend. The Rebels are coming off a 1-2 outing at the Linda Murphy Ridge Invitational in Northridge where they defeated Fresno State, while falling to CSUN and San Francisco. Junior outside hitter Basia Latos is averaging a team-best 3.67 kills to go along with 2.36 digs per set. Senior libero Caleigh King has also registered a team-best 3.48 digs per set.
SERIES RECORDS
Friday will be the first meeting between UC Irvine and Southeastern Louisiana.
UCI trails in its all-time series with UNLV, 7-5. The teams met last year with the Rebels sweeping the 'Eaters at the Asics Invitational in Corvallis, Oregon (Sept. 11, 2025).
ACED IT
UC Irvine has 5+ service aces in six of its last seven outings, including a season-high 10 at Fresno State on Sept. 5. Four Anteaters have recorded three aces in a match, including Kaia Ciszewski and Angelina Dellutri, who have both done it twice. Ciszewski owns a team-leading 10 aces (0.33/set) on the year.
IN THE MIDDLE
Freshman Taylor Boice has started every match and leads UC Irvine in kills (2.63/set) and hitting percentage (.337). The 6-foot-1 middle reached double figures in kills in five of the last six contests. She had a season-high 18 against New Mexico State on Sept. 3. Boice also ranks second on the team in blocks (0.97/set) behind classmate Vani Tatoulian (1.11/set). Tatoulian, who stands at 6-foot-3, made her collegiate debut on Sept. 4, and earned her first start on Sept. 5. Last weekend, she finished with a career-high 10 blocks (1 solo) against San José State. That is tied for third in the Big West this season. Sophomore middle Abby Pekrul recorded multiple blocks in all five of her outings but has been sidelined with an injury since Sept. 4.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Liberos Whitney Wallace and Tata Vongfak have combined for nine of UC Irvine's 16 double-digit dig performances. Wallace, a junior transfer from Oklahoma, leads the way with a team-best 3.47 digs per set. She has all three of the Anteaters' 20+ dig performances including a career-high 30 against San José State this past Sunday, Sept. 13. That came on the heels of a 22-dig effort in a three-set match against Utah Tech on Sept. 12. Vongfak, a true freshman, started the year with a season-high 16 digs at Washington (Aug. 28), and reached double digits again with 10 vs. IU Indy (Aug. 29) and 13 vs. SJSU (Sept. 13).
TRIP'S TURN
Junior Madison Triplett has started every match and ranks second on the team with 2.28 kills per set. Last weekend, Triplett recorded her second double-digit kill match with a season-high 17 against San José State. She previously had 12 kills and nine digs vs. New Mexico State. The 5-foot-9 outside also hit .409 (9-0-22) in UCI's 3-0 win over Southern Utah, before registering a season-best 10 digs at Fresno State.
STEADY AS THEY COME
Senior Nicole Feliciano is a fourth-year starter, playing in 96 of 100 matches during her time at UC Irvine. The 5-foot-10 setter/right side ranks fifth in program history with 2,735 career assists, and is the Anteaters' active leader with 46 double-doubles. Feliciano was named the 2023 Big West Freshman of the Year.
DISHING IT OUT
Sophomore Angelina Dellutri has stepped up as one of the Anteaters' primary setters this year. Dellutri is averaging a team-best 5.57 assists per set in a 6-2 system. She distributed a career-high 39 assists at Fresno State on Sept. 5. Dellutri has three double-doubles on the season, including in each of the last two matches.
STARTING STRONG
Redshirt freshman Brianna Brewer, who missed the last two seasons with injuries, and true freshman Memphis Burnett have combined for three 10+ kill performances on the left side. In her first career match, Brewer put down 11 kills vs. New Mexico State before finishing with a team and season-high 13 at Fresno State. Burnett had a season-best 10 kills on .318 hitting against LMU last Friday.
COMEBACK SEASON
UC Irvine is hoping 2026 will be the year of the comeback. Last season, the Anteaters lost starters Kendra MacDonald (OH) and Jessica Bates (S/OPP) to season-ending injuries early in the campaign. Outside hitter Brianna Brewer is also on the mend after missing 2024 and 2025 with injuries.
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
UC Irvine was picked to tie for sixth in the 2026 Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Anteaters' placing mirrored where they have finished in the regular-season standings in each of the last three years. Defending Big West champion and NCAA Regional finalist Cal Poly received 11 first-place votes and 121 points to sit atop the 12-team poll.Â
HOMEGROWN
All 17 players on UCI's roster are from California. Five also grew up locally in the Orange County area: Jessica Bates (San Clemente), Memphis Burnett (Ladera Ranch), Kaia Ciszewski (Irvine), Nicole Feliciano (Laguna Niguel), and Lois Hansen (Yorba Linda).
RUNS IN THE FAMILY
Taylor Boice and Whitney Wallace both come from volleyball families. Boice's grandmother started and owns Southern California Volleyball Club (SCVC) in Redondo Beach, and her parents played collegiately at Pepperdine. Her father also spent one season as an assistant men's volleyball coach at UC Irvine. Wallace's brother and father played volleyball at UC Santa Barbara, while her mother played at Santa Clara. Her father was also a collegiate coach, serving as an assistant at Pepperdine when Boice's mother was on the team. He then spent 20 years as the head coach at Santa Clara.
UP NEXT
UC Irvine returns to the Bren Events Center for its Big West opening weekend, hosting Long Beach State (Sept. 25) and Cal State Fullerton (Sept. 26).
Southeastern Louisiana (3-7)
Date:Â Friday, Sept. 18
Time:Â 2 p.m. (PDT)
Location:Â The Pavilion (2,500) - Las Vegas, Nev.
Live Stats
UC Irvine (1-8) at
UNLV (1-7)
Date:Â Saturday, Sept. 19
Time:Â 2 p.m. (PDT)
Location:Â The Pavilion (2,500) - Las Vegas, Nev.
Watch on MW+ |Â Live Stats
IRVINE, Calif. -Â UC Irvine women's volleyball closes out their non-conference schedule at The Rebel Challenge in Las Vegas this weekend. The Anteaters will face Southeastern Louisiana on Friday, Sept. 18, before taking on tournament host UNLV on Saturday, Sept. 19. Both matches are slated for a 2 p.m. start at The Pavilion.
FIRST SERVE
• The 'Eaters made their home debut last weekend, dropping a couple of close five-setters to LMU and San José State while also falling in three to Utah Tech. Junior libero Whitney Wallace and freshman middle Taylor Boice were named to the all-tournament team. Wallace averaged a team-best 4.85 digs per set. She registered a career-high 30 digs against the Spartans, which was the second most in the conference this season and tied for 15th in single-match school history. Her 22 digs against the Trailblazers are also the most by a Big West player in a three-set match in 2026. Boice led the Anteaters in kills (2.69/set) and blocks (1.08/set). She had a match-high 17 kills (.500), six blocks, and three aces vs. LMU, and totaled 10 kills and five blocks vs. SJSU.
• UC Irvine has a young team with nearly half of the roster comprised of true (5) and redshirt (3) freshmen. Four of the eight have started at least five matches (including libero). First-year middles Taylor Boice and Vani Tatoulian have been a force at the net for the 'Eaters. Boice, who has started every match, is tops on the squad with 2.63 kills per set on .337 hitting. Tatoulian, who has started five in a row, also leads the way with 1.11 blocks per set. She had a career-high 10 blocks (1 solo) this past Sunday against San José State.
• Sophomore Angelina Dellutri and senior Nicole Feliciano have shared the setting duties so far this season. Dellutri is averaging 5.57 assists per set, while Feliciano, who has played all the way around in the 6-2 system, sits at 4.00 assists, 2.55 digs, and 1.00 kills per set. Dellutri led the Anteaters in assists in six of their nine matches, and Feliciano ranks fifth in school history with 2,735 career assists.Â
• UCI has been one of the better defensive teams in the 12-member Big West, ranking among the top-five in digs (14.37/set), blocks (2.11/set), and opponent hitting percentage (.203).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Southeastern Louisiana (3-7) closed out a five-match homestand with a 3-1 loss to UL Lafayette on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Senior opposite Kyra McKelvey leads the Lions with 3.39 kills and 3.78 points per set.
UNLV (1-7) will be making its home debut at The Pavilion this weekend. The Rebels are coming off a 1-2 outing at the Linda Murphy Ridge Invitational in Northridge where they defeated Fresno State, while falling to CSUN and San Francisco. Junior outside hitter Basia Latos is averaging a team-best 3.67 kills to go along with 2.36 digs per set. Senior libero Caleigh King has also registered a team-best 3.48 digs per set.
SERIES RECORDS
Friday will be the first meeting between UC Irvine and Southeastern Louisiana.
UCI trails in its all-time series with UNLV, 7-5. The teams met last year with the Rebels sweeping the 'Eaters at the Asics Invitational in Corvallis, Oregon (Sept. 11, 2025).
ACED IT
UC Irvine has 5+ service aces in six of its last seven outings, including a season-high 10 at Fresno State on Sept. 5. Four Anteaters have recorded three aces in a match, including Kaia Ciszewski and Angelina Dellutri, who have both done it twice. Ciszewski owns a team-leading 10 aces (0.33/set) on the year.
IN THE MIDDLE
Freshman Taylor Boice has started every match and leads UC Irvine in kills (2.63/set) and hitting percentage (.337). The 6-foot-1 middle reached double figures in kills in five of the last six contests. She had a season-high 18 against New Mexico State on Sept. 3. Boice also ranks second on the team in blocks (0.97/set) behind classmate Vani Tatoulian (1.11/set). Tatoulian, who stands at 6-foot-3, made her collegiate debut on Sept. 4, and earned her first start on Sept. 5. Last weekend, she finished with a career-high 10 blocks (1 solo) against San José State. That is tied for third in the Big West this season. Sophomore middle Abby Pekrul recorded multiple blocks in all five of her outings but has been sidelined with an injury since Sept. 4.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Liberos Whitney Wallace and Tata Vongfak have combined for nine of UC Irvine's 16 double-digit dig performances. Wallace, a junior transfer from Oklahoma, leads the way with a team-best 3.47 digs per set. She has all three of the Anteaters' 20+ dig performances including a career-high 30 against San José State this past Sunday, Sept. 13. That came on the heels of a 22-dig effort in a three-set match against Utah Tech on Sept. 12. Vongfak, a true freshman, started the year with a season-high 16 digs at Washington (Aug. 28), and reached double digits again with 10 vs. IU Indy (Aug. 29) and 13 vs. SJSU (Sept. 13).
TRIP'S TURN
Junior Madison Triplett has started every match and ranks second on the team with 2.28 kills per set. Last weekend, Triplett recorded her second double-digit kill match with a season-high 17 against San José State. She previously had 12 kills and nine digs vs. New Mexico State. The 5-foot-9 outside also hit .409 (9-0-22) in UCI's 3-0 win over Southern Utah, before registering a season-best 10 digs at Fresno State.
STEADY AS THEY COME
Senior Nicole Feliciano is a fourth-year starter, playing in 96 of 100 matches during her time at UC Irvine. The 5-foot-10 setter/right side ranks fifth in program history with 2,735 career assists, and is the Anteaters' active leader with 46 double-doubles. Feliciano was named the 2023 Big West Freshman of the Year.
DISHING IT OUT
Sophomore Angelina Dellutri has stepped up as one of the Anteaters' primary setters this year. Dellutri is averaging a team-best 5.57 assists per set in a 6-2 system. She distributed a career-high 39 assists at Fresno State on Sept. 5. Dellutri has three double-doubles on the season, including in each of the last two matches.
STARTING STRONG
Redshirt freshman Brianna Brewer, who missed the last two seasons with injuries, and true freshman Memphis Burnett have combined for three 10+ kill performances on the left side. In her first career match, Brewer put down 11 kills vs. New Mexico State before finishing with a team and season-high 13 at Fresno State. Burnett had a season-best 10 kills on .318 hitting against LMU last Friday.
COMEBACK SEASON
UC Irvine is hoping 2026 will be the year of the comeback. Last season, the Anteaters lost starters Kendra MacDonald (OH) and Jessica Bates (S/OPP) to season-ending injuries early in the campaign. Outside hitter Brianna Brewer is also on the mend after missing 2024 and 2025 with injuries.
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
UC Irvine was picked to tie for sixth in the 2026 Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Anteaters' placing mirrored where they have finished in the regular-season standings in each of the last three years. Defending Big West champion and NCAA Regional finalist Cal Poly received 11 first-place votes and 121 points to sit atop the 12-team poll.Â
HOMEGROWN
All 17 players on UCI's roster are from California. Five also grew up locally in the Orange County area: Jessica Bates (San Clemente), Memphis Burnett (Ladera Ranch), Kaia Ciszewski (Irvine), Nicole Feliciano (Laguna Niguel), and Lois Hansen (Yorba Linda).
RUNS IN THE FAMILY
Taylor Boice and Whitney Wallace both come from volleyball families. Boice's grandmother started and owns Southern California Volleyball Club (SCVC) in Redondo Beach, and her parents played collegiately at Pepperdine. Her father also spent one season as an assistant men's volleyball coach at UC Irvine. Wallace's brother and father played volleyball at UC Santa Barbara, while her mother played at Santa Clara. Her father was also a collegiate coach, serving as an assistant at Pepperdine when Boice's mother was on the team. He then spent 20 years as the head coach at Santa Clara.
UP NEXT
UC Irvine returns to the Bren Events Center for its Big West opening weekend, hosting Long Beach State (Sept. 25) and Cal State Fullerton (Sept. 26).
Players Mentioned
S/OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
S/OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's VolleyballFriday, August 28
Wednesday, August 26
Tuesday, August 25
Thursday, August 20
