IRVINE, Calif. – In less than a month, the Concordia men's volleyball team faced its rivals from down the street in UC Irvine three times. The No. 7 Anteaters defeated the Eagles twice, once on its home court, and once on a neutral floor in Hawaii. But the third time marked success for CUI as the Eagles were able to beat UCI 3-1 in CU Arena.
 
It was an all-around team effort as multiple players chimed in to the success of the Eagles offense and defense. Senior Jordan Hoppe delivered, putting down a season-high 19 kills where he hit .310 and was in on eight digs. Tagging along was Raymond Barsemian who had 15 kills, 12 digs, six blocks, and five aces.
 
Defensively, both teams were even, tying with 12 blocks apiece, and the Anteaters slightly edging in digs 51-50. Addison Enriques collected 16 digs, his fourth time in double-figures this season. At the net, Noah Lassandro came up with a career-tying seven blocks to go along with his career-high 10 kills.
 
The Eagles started off with an offensive spree handled by Barsemian, who tallied a kill and served three aces to get his team out to an early 8-4 lead. Solo blocks from Lassandro and freshman Gil Herold put CUI ahead by seven at 18-11. With the Anteaters attempting to fight back, the Eagles finished strong after a kill from Barsemian and Herold ended the set.
 
Concordia played from behind in the second, eventually overtaking the lead with a 4-1 run, courtesy of tough serving from Parker Maki, to make the score 17-16. Back-to-back block combos of Barsemian and Lassandro put the Eagles back within one at 20-21. UCI overcame the late CUI run to claim set two and even it up at one set apiece.
 
Momentum shifted back towards the Eagles in the third as they would get out to a 5-1 lead. The Anteaters overcame the deficit to tie it up at 16-all to keep things interesting. The two teams battle back-and-forth until kills from Barsemian and Hoppe closed out the set 25-22.
 
Jonathan Carlson and Hoppe got the fourth set going with kills and Barsemian detonated consecutive aces to get ahead 9-4. The Eagles later would go on a 6-1 run that had them perched on match point at 24-17. UCI stayed alive two points longer until Barsemian split the block to give CUI the upset victory.
 
Concordia hosts MPSF foe No. 8 Grand Canyon on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. as part of its 10-game home stand. For the full men's volleyball schedule, click here.