LONG BEACH, Calif. - UC Riverside (7-18, 3-12 Big West) dropped a 3-0 decision to Long Beach State (18-8, 11-4 Big West) on Thursday night at the Walter Pyramid. 

Jessica Dean scooted closer to 1,400 career digs, now sitting at 1,396 while Makena Tong and Sophia Ewalefo both crossed the 200-dig plateau for the season. 

The Highlanders put forth a formidable start to Thursday's contest. Nikki Hughes and Andrea Brewer led the charge at the net each with a pair of early kills after UCR forced an attack error for the match's first point. 

UC Riverside called time to stop a temporary burst of Long Beach offense before Hughes and Kylie Proctor got up for the block at 10-14. Hughes led the Highlanders through a set in Long Beach, sporting a .333 (3-1-6) hitting clip. 

Tong and Layla Hooks each provided the first four kills of set two, while Hughes put down her fourth to fight off set point. 

Tong served up an ace to kick off set three, and the Highlanders stayed toe to toe with the hosts after kills from Mia Delahoussaye and Izzy Jeffery. Vanessa Imoh returned to the floor and logged two kills in set three on four swings, while Misu Nguyen scooped up five digs in the final set. 

UC Riverside returns to the floor on Friday with a 6:00 pm first serve at UC San Diego on ESPN+.