RIVERSIDE, Calif.- The UC Riverside Women's Volleyball Team opened its final weekend of competition at home Friday night as the Highlanders fell 3-1 to Long Beach State. UCR had another strong showing by its freshmen attackers, who combined for 42 of the team's 58 kills.

Each set was a close contest with several lead changes and ties. In the 1st, the Highlanders made a late push to cut the Long Beach lead to 18-17, but could not hold off a 7-3 run by The Beach, who would take a 1-0 lead finishing off the first game 25-20.

UC Riverside jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the 2nd and held on until a Long Beach surge gave The Beach their first lead of the set 14-13. The two teams would meet again at 23-23 with LBSU taking its second straight set 25-23.

In a must-win situation, the Highlanders would rise to the occasion in the 3rd putting together a 6-0 run early on and never surrendering th lead. UCR would cut the Long Beach lead in half taking the set 25-21.

The 4th set was a battle that saw 15 ties and lead changes as each team grabbed several runs. UC Riverside found itself up 21-20 late, but The Beach would finish off the match on a 5-1 run taking the set 25-22 and the match 3-1.

Freshmen outside hitters Christina Escamilla and Marissa Holt led the Highlander attack notching 19 and 17 kills, respectively. Senior setter Chelsea Doyle extended her UCR Division I assist record adding 42 and sophomore Nicole Rodriguez topped the defensive efforts with 17 digs.

UC Riverside will now host CSUN on Saturday night at 7:00 PM for the team's Senior Day match. This will be the final match at the SRC Arena for seniors Kaiulani Ahuna, Chelsea Doyle, Kristie Alejo, and Mallory Marcus.