HONOLULU - UC Riverside dropped a 3-0 contest to Hawai'i on Saturday night at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sophia Ewalefo returned to her offensive groove from the latter half of September, leading UCR with five kills in a 25-19 first-set defeat. The New Orleans transfer paced the Highlanders with eight on the night, leading UCR in the category for the first time since the 3-0 win over Cal State Fullerton on September 23. 
• Hunter Thomas also led UC Riverside at the net in set one with four of her seven kills. 
• UC Riverside found itself down seven in set two, but went on a 6-2 run to pull within 21-17. Included in that run was an ace from Hawai'i native Makena Tong immediately upon subbing in. 
• UCR played just as competitively in set two with Ana Beatriz Nunes recording three of her six kills and Jessica Dean registering five of her 12 digs. 
• Tong recorded five digs of UCR's eight set-three digs. 

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

• Thomas led UCR with a .583 hitting percentage against the Rainbow Wahine, registering seven kills on 12 swings while Beatriz Nunez hit .333 for the evening. 
• Tong recorded her first 10-assist night since late September and second of Big West play with a team-high 14 in her homecoming. 

UP NEXT

• UC Riverside now starts a six-match home stand, beginning on Thursday, October 26 with a 6:00 p.m. first serve against Long Beach State at the SRC Arena on ESPN+.