Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. - The fourth-ranked University of Hawai`i men's volleyball team lost in straight sets at No. 1 UC Irvine tonight in its seaason opener and a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match 30-28, 30-26, 30-21 in front of 2,370 fans at the Bren Center.

Game one never saw a lead more than two points and, with the teams tied 28-28, UCI's David Smith pounded a kill in the middle for a 29-28 advantage. Aaron Harrell had a solo block on Hawai`i's Matt Rawson for game point, 30-28. Both teams struggled offensively with both teams hitting at a .135 clip.

The Warriors (0-1, 0-1 MPSF) jumped out to a 13-9 lead in game two before the Anteaters went on an 8-4 run to knot the score at 17-17. The teams traded points until 23-22 when UCI used two kills by Jon Steller and two Warrior attack errors to provide a 27-23 cushion. The teams had two kills apiece before a UCI service error delayed match point (29-26). Steller ended the game with a kill, 30-26.

Game three was all UCI, jumping out to a 7-2 lead and never looking back on the way to a 30-21 victory.

Lauri Hakala led the Warriors with nine kills but managed to hit only .034, recording eight errors in 29 swings. UH, as a team, hit a mere .112 on the evening. Kyle Klinger hit .667 (5-1-6) and added three blocks. Setter Brian Beckwith tallied 26 assists, while Ric Cervantes had a team-high six digs.

The Anteaters (5-0, 1-0 MPSF) were led by Jayson Jablonsky who recorded 12 kills and David Smith who added 11. UCI hit .273 collectively, outblocking (10.0 to 9.0) and outdigging (35-18) the Warriors.

The two teams finish the two-match series Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. PST (5:30 p.m HST). There is no radio for the match, but updates will be provided throughout the men's home basketball match against Nevada.

-UH-