IRVINE, CALIF. - Facing one of the top teams in the nation, the Golden Eagles battled hard against the undefeated, fifth-ranked UC Irvine squad. While the Green and Gold ultimately fell in four sets (22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 24-26), several standout individual performances highlighted CUI's effort throughout the match.

Outside, Kai Vogel led the offense with a season-high 15 kills, pacing the team in that category while also contributing eight digs and two service aces. His all-around performance was a bright spot on both sides of the ball, keeping CUI competitive at key points in the match.

In a remarkable showing, Nathan Habermas posted a career-high .778 hitting percentage, recording 7 kills on nice attempts. He was efficient and aggressive in his swings, giving the Golden Eagles a strong presence in the front row throughout the match. 

Ties Cornelissen also turned in a terrific evening for the Green and Gold, hitting a season-high .550 with 12 kills and adding one solo block and three block assists to anchor the front row. Complementing that front-line, Paul Schulteis added seven kills while hitting a strong .538 in the match. 

Running the offense with precision, freshman Matt Fisher orchestrated an efficient offense that helped CUI hit .302 as a team against one of the toughest defensive squads in the country. His distribution kept the offense balanced and allowed multiple hitters to make impactful plays.
 

Despite the loss, the Golden Eagles' effort against top competition showcased their depth and potential as the season builds. Performances like these, especially career and season highs in key statistical categories, will give the Green and Gold confidence moving forward. 

UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles will compete in another top 15 match-up on Wednesday, February 11, at 7:00 PM against No. 11 UC San Diego in La Jolla, Calif. They will then be home for a quick turnaround match against No. 11 UC San Diego at 7 PM on Thursday, February 12. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2026 SCHEDULE