RIVERSIDE, Calif.— The UC Riverside Women's Volleyball Team earned its second win in three matches Friday night as the Highlanders bested UC Irvine 3-2. UCR's underclassmen again led the attack combining for 58 of the team's 65 kills.

"I'm really proud and excited for this team," said Head Coach Michelle Patton-Coleman. "This is a young team so our biggest thing is understanding the job, staying dialed in, and knowing that the break through come if they keep at it. Lucky for us we have committed group. They don't quit."

The Anteaters got out to a quick start taking the 1st set 25-19, but the Highlanders would answer in the 2nd putting together three 3-0 runs to go up 10-5. Both teams then traded off until UCR capitalized 25-17 to ice the overall match.

The 3rd set would be the closest contest as an early run by the Highlanders was matched by late surge from UCI. Up 21-20, the Highlanders would grab four of the last six points to win the set 25-22 and take a 2-1 lead.

In a must-win situation, the Anteaters would force a 5th and final set taking the 4th 25-13.

The decider was all Highlanders as UCR jumped out to an 8-4 advantage and closed out the set 15-11 to defeat the Anteaters for the first time since 2012.

The Highlanders' freshman hitters were firing all night led by Marissa Holt who put up a career high 18 kills. Nailah Jones and Ashlyn Blotzer followed with 13 and nine, respectively.

"Now that the freshman are starting to be comfortable with this level of play, we are seeing them excel," Patton-Coleman said. "They are learning every day, not just skills, but situations as well and how to win."

UC Riverside's defense held tight all night as five different Highlanders scooped up double digit digs and added 9 blocks as a team.

Senior setter Chelsea Doyle led both teams with 54 assists and topped UCR with five blocks. Before the match, she was honored as earlier this week she etched her name in the Highlander history books becoming the program's Division I career assist leader and moving into 2nd all-time.

"Her accomplishments are a testament to the hard work she has put these past years," Patton-Coleman said. "I am so proud of her and it couldn't have happened to a better person."

The Highlanders will look to keep this momentum going Tomorrow night as they are set to host UC Davis at 7:00 PM.