LAS VEGAS – Less than 24 hours after tying a career high in kills, Andrea Brewer set a new one with 16 as UC Riverside closed its non-conference schedule on Friday with a 3-1 win over Southern Utah at Cox Pavilion.

UCR notched season highs in kills (67) and assists (60), and blocks (11) in their rematch with the Thunderbirds while recording its second best hitting percentage in a match this year (.234). 

UCR overcame a sluggish start in set one and eventually settled in with a rhythm on both sides of the ball. The Highlanders trailed by just three at the media break after generating offense with two kills apiece from Mia Delahoussaye, Andrea Brewer, and Sophia Ewalefo. Brewer hit a solid .500 (5-1-8) to set the tone for a career night while Rachel Schwartz added a kill, four assists, an ace, and a dig. 

Ewalefo, who recorded a double double with 17 kills and 12 digs, led a pivotal 4-0 scoring run that put Southern Utah on the ropes late in set two. Brewer fought off match point with kill number nine for the evening before sending the set to extended play, where UCR refused to go quietly. Layla Hooks came up big upon re-entry with consecutive kills before Schwartz ended the set with her second kill.

UCR continued the momentum in set three, as Brewer continued firing on all cylinders and Delahoussaye showcased her blocking. Another back-and-forth affair soon raged on down the stretch with UC Riverside holding set point on an ace from Hooks. Vanessa Imoh and Izzy Jeffery slammed the door with a block. 

Set four presented the biggest offensive challenge yet, where UCR struggled to find points at the net until Jeffery kickstarted a 4-1 run almost midway through. Ewalefo, Brewer, and Delahoussaye again put their collective stamp on the offensive until the Highlanders again caught fire at the most opportune time. 

Another crucial run put UC Riverside on level terms at 21-21 with a kill from Imoh before Brewer forced match point with her 16th and final kill. Ewalefo and Jeffery sealed the win with a block. 

UC Riverside returns to action on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:00 pm to open Big West play against UC Davis inside the Johnson Family Practice Center. To celebrate the first sporting event inside the venue in over a decade, be sure to get there early and grab your retro shirt. Tickets are available now at GoHighlanders.com/tickets.