RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Deja Bickers had 9 kills and Dejah Dade had 17 digs to lead UC Riverside Saturday night against UC San Diego, but the Highlanders could not hold on after a tight second set and were defeated in straight sets by the Tritons at SRC Arena.
 
Two nights after willing their way to a five-set victory over UC Irvine, the Highlanders (6-18, 2-12) had the opportunity for their second home winning streak of the season and first back-to-back Big West winning streak since 2015, but UC Riverside found itself in too deep after battling to a 23-25 decision in the second framed against UCSD (9-16, 6-8 Big West).
 
Six days separate UC Riverside from its next match and the beginning of a four-match road trip, starting Friday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. at CSU Bakersfield, followed immediately on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. at Cal Poly. The Highlanders remain visitors the following weekend, playing at CSUN Friday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., with another immediate turnaround to play at UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m.
 
The Highlanders return to SRC Arena for a Thanksgiving Eve meeting Wednesday night, Nov. 24, vs. Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. before the conclusion of the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 27, with a 5 p.m. scheduled first serve at home against Long Beach State.