RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside stayed alive in the hunt for a berth in the inaugural Big West Volleyball Championship on Saturday with a 3-1 win over UC Irvine at the SRC Arena.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• UC Riverside and UC Irvine entangled themselves in another close first set between the two, but the Highlanders broke set one open upon taking a 10-9 lead, finishing the set on a 15-6 run. Sydnee Rowe knocked down six kills in the frame to help the Highlanders hit a sharp .303. 
• UCR was hot again in set two, but from the get go. The Highlanders forced a UC Irvine timeout with an 11-6 lead at which point Mylei Vargas-Deason, Sophia Ewalefo and Rowe combined for 16 of the Highlanders' 21 kills. The trio ended the night with 33 of UC Riverside's 49 kills. 
• UCR put up its second .300 single-set hitting percentage of the night at .324 in set two, taking a commanding 2-0 lead with six kills from Vargas-Deason - all while forcing six attack errors from Irvine.  
• Anya Green stuffed a pair of Irvine attack attempts early in set three to keep UCR's small deficit tenable, but UCI eventually forced set four with a 25-10 win. With a sluggish set off their backs, UC Riverside returned to form to end the night in strong fashion.  
• UCR and UC Irvine traded points in set four until the Highlanders took control with a 6-1 run out of a timeout, pulling ahead to an 18-15 advantage. Vargas-Deason fought off set point and a forced fifth set with her 16th and final kill of the evening before a double block from her and Rowe sealed the win.  

FROM COACH CANNON 

• We are being intentional about the consistent energy and togetherness that is allowing us to peak at just the right time. 

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS 

• Rowe hit a scorching .909 in the win with 10 kills on 11 swings and no errors.  
• UCR is now 3-2 on the season when winning set one and achieved back-to-back Big West victories for the second time this season.  
• Two of UCR's top three single-match block totals have now come in the Highlanders' last two matches following seven blocks against the Anteaters.  
• Vargas-Deason recorded her third double double of the season – all of which have come in Big West play – with 16 kills and 13 digs.  

UP NEXT 

• UC Riverside heads into its final home week of the season, starting against Cal State Bakersfield. First serve against the Roadrunners is scheduled for Thursday, November 9 at 5:00 p.m. at the SRC Arena.