RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside opened Big West play on Thursday at the SRC Arena with a 3-2 loss to UC San Diego.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• UCR started hot with a .636 hitting percentage midway through set one, taking a 13-8 lead into a Triton-called timeout. UC San Diego called for a breather after being held to just .067 at the net in the early going.  
• The Highlanders captured set one with a 25-23 win after hitting .375 with five kills from Trinity Sheridan, including set point. 
• UCR opened a 7-4 lead in set two and stayed within at most four points of the Tritons through the duration of the frame.  
• The Highlanders struggled out of the gate in set three but answered with a 6-1 run. Andrea Brewer's kill gave UCR the brief 6-5 lead. 
• UC San Diego went ahead winning sets two and three before UC Riverside forced a fifth set with a 25-19 win in set four. UCR hit .325 in the fourth frame to the Tritons' .087.  

NOTABLES 

• Sheridan continued her stellar first year as a Highlander with a career-high 18 kills.  
• UCR has generated at least 50 kills in four straight matches now after putting up 55 in Thursday's Big West opener. 
• The Highlanders' nine blocks on the night were tied for the third most in a match this season. 

UP NEXT 

• UCR continues Big West play on Saturday at the SRC Arena with a 4:00 p.m. first serve against Long Beach State. Tickets are available now at highlanderstickets.universitytickets.com.