HOUSTON - UC Riverside (2-4, 0-0) closed out its second tournament of the season on Saturday morning at Sharp Gym with a dramatic 3-2 win over Bethune-Cookman at the Molly Howard Memorial Tournament. 

UCR grabbed its first five-set win in non-conference action for the first time since 2018 ahead of a trip back to the Inland Empire before Big West play begins. 

The Highlanders enjoyed a 7-2 scoring run in set one, but Bethune-Cookman went ahead with the 1-0 lead despite the Highlanders holding the 13-12 advantage in kills. 

UC Riverside found more success in set two, however, with four service aces and seven blocks, ultimately forcing BCU to call time late. The Highlanders won the first three points out of the breather and withstood a late rally to tie the match with a 25-20 win. UC Riverside went on a 7-0 run near the end of set two and staved off a BCU rally to tie the match before ending set three on a 10-3 run to go ahead in the match. 

Makena Tong had already reached a season-high seven assists after two sets and finished with 13 and five service aces, while fellow freshman Jessica Dean enjoyed a breakout performance of her own with a match-high 22 digs to go along with a service ace and three assists. 

The Wildcats gave UCR a taste of its own medicine in set four, closing on a 6-2 run before a 9-1 scoring spree in a fifth and decisive set helped the Highlanders grab their second win of the year. 

Delaney Tate logged a double double in Saturday morning's tournament finale, going for 11 kills and 11 digs. Isabella Scarlett and Hunter Thomas joined Tate in the 10+ kill club for the match as well. 

UC Riverside will now come home to the Inland Empire for the first time this season and first time under Cannon's leadership, playing three at the CBU/UCR Tournament next weekend. Live stats will be available on the volleyball schedule on GoHighlanders.com.