No. 5 UC Irvine defeated No. 13 UC San Diego in three tightly contested sets, with scores of 25-20, 26-24, and 29-27. Although the Tritons (11-8, 2-2 Big West) managed late rallies, they couldn't overcome the Anteaters鈥� lead. Sebastiano Sani led the Tritons with 11 kills, while Josh Ewert contributed with seven kills and three aces. Set two saw multiple lead changes, but UC Irvine capitalized on momentum to win. The third set was particularly close, featuring 16 ties before UC Irvine clinched the match.

By the Numbers
  • UC San Diego had 11 total kills from Sebastiano Sani.
  • Josh Ewert recorded three aces, tying his season high for the fifth time.
Yes, But

Despite strong performances from Sani and Ewert, the Tritons struggled to maintain leads against a seasoned opponent. Their inability to capitalize on critical moments and multiple tie situations ultimately cost them the match.

State of Play
  • The Tritons have lost six out of ten sets that have gone past 25 points this season.
  • They are set to face off against UC Irvine again in a rematch tomorrow at LionTree Arena.
What's Next

UC San Diego will look to bounce back against UC Irvine in their rematch tomorrow night. Adjustments in strategy and execution will be crucial for the Tritons to secure a victory.

Bottom Line

The Tritons must harness momentum and resilience in their upcoming match to improve upon their performance and avoid another defeat against a tough opponent.