Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 FULLERTON, Calif. — Having persevered through a 644-day hiatus due to the COVID pandemic that prevented any competition in 2020, UC Riverside opened its 2021 regular season with a split of its first two matches, beating Fordham, 3-1, before falling to New Mexico, 0-3, at the Titan Classic.
 
The Highlanders (1-1, 0-0 Big West) began their 2021 campaign with a four-set victory — 25-18, 25-18, 12-25, 25-20 — over Fordham in the first meeting between UCR and the Rams since 2003. The team was led by 46 total atempts by Marina Gonzalez and a .320 hitting percentage, with double-digit kills and digs, by Isabella Scarlett. Amarachi Osuji also contributed 14 kills in the win. The match result made it 4-0 all-time for UC Riverside vs. Fordham.
 
Against New Mexico, in their first meeting since 2013, the Highlanders could not hold off the Lobos from sweeping the three-setter, falling to 0-5 all-time vs. UNM, with the second set back and forth before UNM reeled off six straight points to ratchet up their momentum. Gonzalez once again stood out for UCR in the loss.
 
Next up, UCR travels for two matches Saturdays, Sept. 4, at the Fresno State Invitational, where the Highlanders take on Loyola Marymount at 11 a.m. followed by the host Bulldogs at 7 p.m.
 
The home opener for the Highlanders happens Friday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. against Southern Utah, as the Riverside Classic returns to SRC Arena. That match is preceded at 12 p.m. by New Orleans vs. Southern Utah. New Orleans is UC Riverside's next opponent at the Classic the following day, Sept. 11, at 12 p.m.