LA JOLLA, Calif. — UC San Diego women's volleyball fell to UC Irvine in a straight-set match on Tuesday evening at LionTree Arena, with scores of 21-25, 26-28, 23-25. The Tritons (4-19, 2-9 Big West) split the season series with the Anteaters (10-13, 5-6 Big West) after taking the first meeting earlier this season. The Tritons' attack was led by a .289 hitting percentage in the third set.
 
Molly McCluskey led the attack with 14 kills on 40 swings, while securing 12 digs for her 10th double-double of the season. Jasmine Saran contributed 12 kills on 27 attempts, recording a hitting percentage of .407 and adding three blocks. Ireland McNees was notable on defense, tallying 15 digs and adding a service ace. Maija Nepszy facilitated the offense with 36 assists and chipped in 10 digs for her fourth double-double.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC Irvine quickly established a lead, 6-2, early in the opening set. The Tritons managed to narrow the gap with contributions from Saran and Maria Fernanda Afonso, evening the score at 13-13. However, the Anteaters scored four points unanswered and retook the lead, 17-13. Despite a late rally from UC San Diego, which saw them tie the score at 19-19 after a block by McNees, the Anteaters regained control. Irvine outscored the Tritons, 6-2, tp close out the opening frame, 25-21.
 
UC San Diego demonstrated resilience in the second set, with McCluskey and Saran contributing crucial kills to keep the score close early on. A 5-1 run by the Tritons, highlighted by two kills from McCluskey, one from Madison Johnson and an ace by Paulina Baillie, gave UC San Diego the advantage, 14-11, midway through the set. UCI took the lead once again, 20-17, but the Tritons fought back to tie the set at 22-all. UC San Diego fought off two set points and reach one of its own at 25-24, but the Anteaters ultimately secured the victory, 28-26.
 
UC San Diego rallied during a crucial stretch in the third set, overcoming a four-point deficit to tie the score at 20-20, with Saran leading the charge by securing pivotal kills. Nepszy's consistent playmaking was instrumental, providing key assists that brought the home team back into contention. Despite this comeback, the Anteaters managed to regain control, capitalizing on late kills to edge out the Tritons. The set concluded with UC Irvine securing a narrow 25-23 victory, ending the match.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Molly McCluskey recorded her 10th double-double of the season and Maija Nepszy recorded her fourth.
• UC San Diego had the advantage in aces (4-2), while UC Irvine had the edge in blocks (8-5) and hitting percentage (.278 to .203). Digs were even (57-57).
• The Tritons are 2-7 in three-set matches this season.
• UC San Diego is now 5-9 in the all-time series and 4-5 in Division I against UC Irvine and 1-1 this season.
• Starters included Paulina Baillie, Madison Johnson, Molly McCluskey, Ireland McNees, Maija Nepszy, Jasmine Saran and Kayla Uhlick. 

UP NEXT
The Tritons will travel to face Cal State Fullerton on Saturday at 6 p.m. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live statistics will be available via UCSDTritons.com.
 
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About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.