RIVERSIDE, Calif.— After a brief break from conference play earlier this week, the UC Riverside Women's Volleyball Team is ready to return to Big West action as the Highlanders host Cal State Fullerton this Saturday at 4:00 PM in the SRC Arena.
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SCOUTING THE TITANS
Cal State Fullerton comes into the weekend looking for its first Big West win with an 0-9 conference record. The Highlanders and Titans met earlier this month in Fullerton, CA where UCR earned a 3-0 sweep 22-23-22.
FRESHMAN ON FIRE
The Highlander freshmen have already made a huge impact in just their first year of playing at the DI level.
Outside-hitter Nailah Jones has been a true offensive force in her first year as a Highlander as she has posted double-digit kills in nine of her last 12 matches. This includes two dominant 15 kill performances over Nevada and San Francisco, and a career high 20 over UCSB this past weekend.
Outside-hitter Christina Escamilla has been a spark plug as of late collecting 37 kills in her last four matches including a career high 16 this past week at CBU. Middle-hitter Ashlyn Blotzer also collected a career high at CBU with 10 kills.
BIG ON DIGS
The Highlanders' defense has held strong all year as the team's 17.19 digs p/set leads the Big West Conference and their 1255 total digs rank 4th. This feat has helped UCR extend plays, stay in rallies, and eventually turn them into Highlander points.
COUNT ON CHELSEA
Senior setter Chelsea Doyle has been crucial to the Highlander offense, setting up her teammates at every opportunity. Her 9.12 assists p/set average currently ranks 4th in the Big West and her 684 total assists rank 3rd.
Doyle currently sits 3rd on the Highlanders all-time record book with 3,430 assists and is on pace to move into 2nd by the end of the season.
SWEEPING AWAY THE COMPETITION
The Highlanders have earned three of their six wins in sweeping fashion topping both UMASS Lowell, Idaho State, and Cal State Fullerton 3-0.
KAI DON'T LIE
Senior outside hitter Kaiulani Ahuna has been nothing short of spectacular in the 2018 season. Opening weekend, Ahuna broke two program records notching 30 kills (Rally-Scoring Era Record) in a win over Montana and then smashing 33 more (DI Record) on Eastern Washington to become the first Highlander to ever put up 30+ on back-to-back days. Following this weekend, Ahuna led the NCAA in total kills and kills p/set and was awarded Player of the Week Awards from the Big West Conference, VolleyMob, and the AVCA.
On September 14th, Ahuna would again make the Highlander history book breaking her own personal record and UCR's Division I record with a 34 kill performance against Idaho. She now has recorded three of UCR's top-six single match performances.
