Berkeley, CA—The UC Riverside Volleyball Team opened the 2016 season with a 3-0 sweep of Southern Utah in the Cal Molten Classic, 25-17, 25-14, 25-15.
 
The Highlanders used a 7-0 run to break a 14-14 tie to take control of season's first set and eventually win it, 25-17. 
 
In the second set they jumped out to a 9-4 advantage, which forced the Thunderbirds to call a timeout. UCR then took 12 of the next 20 points to establish a, 21-12, lead before closing out the second frame, 25-14.
 
The Highlander momentum continued into the third and final set as they went on to the claim it, 25-15 and the match 3-0.
 
Fabiana Rosas led the Highlanders with 16 kills. Freshmen Mickayla Sherman and Yuliya Ushakova chipped in with 10 and seven kills respectively their UCR debut.
 
Chelsea Doyle had 38 assists and a pair of service aces. Maddie Hubbell had 17 digs to lead a defense that got three blocks a piece from Brooke Callahan, Meg Graham and Ushakova.
 
UC Riverside will take on Southern Utah once again at noon tomorrow, before they battle the California Golden Bears at 7 pm in the final match of the Molten Classic.