UC Irvine Anteaters women’s volleyball lost a close match 3-2 to the Utah Valley Wolverines on November 7, 2026, at Lockhart Arena in Orem, Utah. The match was part of Big West Conference play, with set scores of 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-19, and 10-15.
Freshman middle blocker Taylor Boice led UC Irvine with a team-high 15 kills and seven blocks. Senior setter Nicole Feliciano recorded a season-best 34 assists and 17 digs, achieving her 10th double-double of the season. She also added four kills and five blocks, moving into a tie for ninth place on UC Irvine’s all-time career digs list.
Other contributors for UC Irvine included junior middle blocker Abby Pekrul with 10 kills on .444 hitting, junior opposite hitter Ava Gronemeyer with nine kills, junior libero Whitney Wallace with 17 digs extending her double-digit dig streak to 22 matches, and sophomore setter Angelina Dellutri with 11 digs.
UC Irvine committed nine fewer hitting errors than Utah Valley but had fewer kills (56 to 65) and digs (67 to 71). The Wolverines secured the win by scoring the final four points of the fifth set during their Senior Day. Both teams now stand tied at 7-7 in Big West Conference play, positioned seventh in the standings.
The Anteaters will return home to the Bren Events Center to host Cal State Northridge on November 13 and Cal State Bakersfield on November 14, with the team planning to honor seniors Nicole Feliciano, Lois Hansen, and Kendra MacDonald following the final home match.
CSB Take
The tight five-set loss to Utah Valley highlights UC Irvine Anteaters women’s volleyball’s competitive resilience in conference play. Standout performances by both emerging talent like Taylor Boice and veteran leader Nicole Feliciano showcase a strong foundation. As the team prepares for its final home matches and senior recognitions, this moment offers both reflection and motivation heading into the season’s closing weeks.
Source: Original report
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