RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Amarachi Osuji had 23 digs to go with 17 kills, Dejah Dade delivered 16 digs with her 17 assists and Zoey Seput added 21 digs to her 19 assists as UC Riverside defeated UC Irvine for the second straight time at home, winning in five sets Thursday night at SRC Arena, 22-25, 25-21, 14-24, 25-21, 15-12.
 
The Highlanders (6-17, 2-11 Big West) got their second Big West win of 2021 in their second meeting of the season with the Anteaters (14-9, 7-6 Big West), following a Oct. 2 loss in Irvine. The Highlanders' last home match against UC Irvine at SRC Arena was another 3-2 victory, a match on Nov. 25, 2019, that featured 14 kills, 3 blocks and 3 aces from Osuji.
 
After missing their home fans and the 2020 season due to pandemic restrictions, UCR went back to the future Thursday at SRC taking care of business at home against the Anteaters.
 
"I am extremely proud of the teamwork that went into tonight's win," said head coach Michelle Patton-Coleman. "We are getting more comfortable with the sustained effort it takes to compete in this conference and come out on top. They knew what needed to be done tonight and executed the game plan. It was really great to see them play hard and together until the very end."
 
Thursday's win ended a three-match slide since UCR's road win Oct. 22 at Long Beach. Next up for the Highlanders, a Saturday home meeting with UC San Diego. The last win for UC Riverside over UC San Diego came on Sept. 16, 1994, a three-set sweep in Riverside. The Tritons have won the last three meetings with UCR.