FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton women's volleyball found short bursts of strong defense and timely serving, but fell to UC Irvine in straight sets (14-25, 15-25, 12-25) on Thursday night at Titan Gym. The Titans dropped to 7-14 overall and 2-7 in Big West play, while the Anteaters improved to 9-13 and 4-6. 

Fullerton out-dug UC Irvine 46-36, led by Mia Feldhaus (11), Marisa Nakata (10), and Mya Tillman (8). Offensively, Nakata and Neeva Gaine, who played her first full match back from injury, paced the Titans with five kills each.  

UC Irvine set the tone early, opening the match on a 3-0 run. Fullerton stayed within reach behind kills from Nakata, Gaine and Lira Pukl Verdel, but the Anteaters pulled away for a 25-14 win as the Titans hit .075 in the first set. 

The Titans played their best volleyball in the second set, cutting the deficit to 12-11 with a three-point run highlighted by a Zariah Crosby kill, a Crosby and Sarah Schubert block, and a Tillman service ace. UC Irvine took advantage of Fullerton attack errors, going on a late run to win the set 25-15, despite two Nakata kills and a late kill by Hannah Hass. 

Hass put down the first point of the third set, grabbing Fullerton's first lead of the night, with a kill and service run that cut their deficit to 6-5. The Anteaters regained control and pulled to a 20-8 lead on a 6-0 scoring run. Kahea Carvalho added a kill before the Anteaters sealed the match sweep with a 25-12 win in the third set. 

The Titans travel to Honolulu to fave Hawai'i on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10 p.m. PT., before returning to Titan Gym to host Long Beach State on Halloween night at 6 p.m. 

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