IRVINE, Calif. - Uriel Batista needed only four sets to break the school record for most kills in a single match on Saturday night against No. 8 BYU.

In the process, Batista and his Concordia teammates almost pulled off an incredible upset on their home court and had the nationally-ranked Cougars on the ropes.

BYU was one point away from losing the entire match but kept dodging that final blow and finding the equalizer.  Eventually, the Cougars forced a fifth set and rallied to take it 15-12 and the match 3-2.

Batista moved into the record books with a phenomenal showing.  He had 31 kills through four sets, and finished with a career-high 32 kills on 64 swings. He hit .406 on the night.

CUI alum Joe Predney had previously held the record for the past six years with 29 kills in a single match against Hope International in March of 2017.

"We put hours, days and years into this and we do it for each other, so to get the school record feels great," said Batista. "Just wish it could have come in a win."

"It felt great having a full house," added Batista. "The atmosphere was crazy with all the BYU fans here and our student section with teams like the beach volleyball team supporting us."

Makai Lipson shattered his previous best with a career-high 51 assists as Concordia's starting setter.  Lipson and libero Jacob Reilly tied for the team lead with 10 digs each.

True freshman Scott Montez also added 10 kills and nine digs to go with 24 receptions without an receiving errors.

Newcomer Cole Vigo made his first career start at Concordia and contributed six kills and a game-high four service aces to go with four digs.

Concordia visits UCLA this coming Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. and then hosts the nationally-ranked Bruins on Friday at 7 p.m.

Penn State visits Irvine on Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m. the following afternoon.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's volleyball schedule