Friday, September 4
Fresno, Calif.
2:00 PM
UC Irvine
1-4,0-0Big West
3
vs
0
Southern Utah
0-5,0-0Big Sky
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Southern Utah | 12 | 18 | 12 | 0 |
Photo by: Jillian Leslie | UC Irvine Athletics
Anteaters Sweep Southern Utah for First Win of the Season
September 04, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
FRESNO, Calif. - UC Irvine women's volleyball left no doubt in their first win of the season as they cruised to a 25-12, 25-18, 25-12 victory over Southern Utah Friday afternoon at the Save Mart Center.
On the second day of the Bulldog Invitational, the Anteaters took control early and never looked back. The Thunderbirds scored the first point of each set, but the 'Eaters quickly settled in and didn't trail the rest of the way. They also held a double-digit advantage in all three frames.
UCI led in every statistical category, most notably in kills (45-26), blocks (9-2), and hitting percentage where it recorded a blistering .415 (45-6-94) clip, while holding SUU to .138 (26-14-87).
BY THE NUMBERS: Freshman middle Taylor Boice anchored a balanced UC Irvine attack with a match-high 10 kills. She did not commit an error on 14 swings for a .714 percentage. Boice added a season-best six blocks.
Junior Madison Triplett also hit a season-best .409 (9-0-22), and sophomore middle Abby Pekrul finished at a career-best .667 (8-0-12). Redshirt freshman Jessica Bates contributed nine kills, nine digs, five assists, and two blocks.
Sophomore setter Angelina Dellutri directed the offense with 29 assists. In addition, junior Whitney Wallace racked up a match-leading 12 digs.
Maya Banks and Kaitlyn Hoelker had seven kills apiece to lead the Thunderbirds.
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine (1-4) broke an early 2-2 tie in the first set with kills from Pekrul, Bates, and Triplett. The Anteaters extended that into a 16-3 run, capped by nine unanswered points to open up a commanding 18-5 lead. The 'Eaters continued to cruise with back-to-back kills by Triplett and Bates sealing the 25-12 win.
UCI kept the momentum on its side in the second set, racing out to a 9-2 advantage following back-to-back kills from Boice. The Anteaters stayed out front and used a 5-1 spurt that ended with a Pekrul kill to pull ahead, 20-10. Southern Utah made a late push with a 4-0 rally, but Boice responded with three-straight kills to give the 'Eaters the 25-18 victory.
The Thunderbirds (0-5) were able to keep it close early in the third frame, staying within four until back-to-back aces by freshman Kaia Ciszewski sparked a 5-0 stretch that put UC Irvine on top, 14-8. UCI kept its foot on the gas, running away with the set and match at 25-12.
UP NEXT: UC Irvine closes out the Bulldog Invitational against tournament host Fresno State on Saturday, Sept. 5. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.
NOTES
• Taylor Boice's .714 hitting percentage was the best by an Anteater since Oct. 14, 2023.
• It is also tied for the best by a Big West player this season.
• Through the first two matches of the Bulldog Invitational, Boice is hitting .591 (28-2-44).
• This was the third match in a row that Boice has led UC Irvine in kills.
• Madison Triplett has been consistent with at least seven kills in all five outings.
• Kaia Ciszewski recorded three aces in back-to-back matches.
• Whitney Wallace had her second-straight double-digit dig effort.
On the second day of the Bulldog Invitational, the Anteaters took control early and never looked back. The Thunderbirds scored the first point of each set, but the 'Eaters quickly settled in and didn't trail the rest of the way. They also held a double-digit advantage in all three frames.
UCI led in every statistical category, most notably in kills (45-26), blocks (9-2), and hitting percentage where it recorded a blistering .415 (45-6-94) clip, while holding SUU to .138 (26-14-87).
BY THE NUMBERS: Freshman middle Taylor Boice anchored a balanced UC Irvine attack with a match-high 10 kills. She did not commit an error on 14 swings for a .714 percentage. Boice added a season-best six blocks.
Junior Madison Triplett also hit a season-best .409 (9-0-22), and sophomore middle Abby Pekrul finished at a career-best .667 (8-0-12). Redshirt freshman Jessica Bates contributed nine kills, nine digs, five assists, and two blocks.
Sophomore setter Angelina Dellutri directed the offense with 29 assists. In addition, junior Whitney Wallace racked up a match-leading 12 digs.
Maya Banks and Kaitlyn Hoelker had seven kills apiece to lead the Thunderbirds.
HOW IT HAPPENED: UC Irvine (1-4) broke an early 2-2 tie in the first set with kills from Pekrul, Bates, and Triplett. The Anteaters extended that into a 16-3 run, capped by nine unanswered points to open up a commanding 18-5 lead. The 'Eaters continued to cruise with back-to-back kills by Triplett and Bates sealing the 25-12 win.
UCI kept the momentum on its side in the second set, racing out to a 9-2 advantage following back-to-back kills from Boice. The Anteaters stayed out front and used a 5-1 spurt that ended with a Pekrul kill to pull ahead, 20-10. Southern Utah made a late push with a 4-0 rally, but Boice responded with three-straight kills to give the 'Eaters the 25-18 victory.
The Thunderbirds (0-5) were able to keep it close early in the third frame, staying within four until back-to-back aces by freshman Kaia Ciszewski sparked a 5-0 stretch that put UC Irvine on top, 14-8. UCI kept its foot on the gas, running away with the set and match at 25-12.
UP NEXT: UC Irvine closes out the Bulldog Invitational against tournament host Fresno State on Saturday, Sept. 5. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.
NOTES
• Taylor Boice's .714 hitting percentage was the best by an Anteater since Oct. 14, 2023.
• It is also tied for the best by a Big West player this season.
• Through the first two matches of the Bulldog Invitational, Boice is hitting .591 (28-2-44).
• This was the third match in a row that Boice has led UC Irvine in kills.
• Madison Triplett has been consistent with at least seven kills in all five outings.
• Kaia Ciszewski recorded three aces in back-to-back matches.
• Whitney Wallace had her second-straight double-digit dig effort.
Players Mentioned
S/OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
Irvine
SUU
Kills
45
26
Errors
6
14
Attempts
94
87
Hitting %
.415
.138
Points
60.0
32.0
Assists
36
24
Aces
6
4
Blocks
9
2
Game Leaders
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Friday, August 28
Wednesday, August 26
Tuesday, August 25
Thursday, August 20
