RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC Riverside fell in three sets at UC Irvine on Friday night at the Bren Events Center. 

The Highlanders stayed in lockstep with the Anteaters in set one, a much more favorable start than the two teams' meeting back in Riverside earlier in the season. UCR matched the Anteaters stride for stride out of the gate with 16 kills on 41 swings, plus an ace and two blocks before dropping set one by three points. 

UC Riverside quickly fell behind two sets to none, but turned a 20-13 deficit in set three to 24-21 before conceding match point. 

Jessica Dean led the Highlanders in digs for the second straight match with 12, also recording one of UCR's three service aces on the night. Tayler Hifo was two digs shy of a double double after putting up 23 assists. 

Isabella Scarlett led the offense with 10 kills on the night, followed by seven from Delaney Tate. 

The Highlanders have a quick turnaround with a 7:00 p.m. match on Saturday, November 5 at UC San Diego from LionTree Arena on ESPN+.