SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. – The Maryville men's volleyball faced its biggest challenge of the ASICS Invitational as they faced No. 6 UC Irvine but the Anteaters proved worthy of their lofty ranking and defeated the Saints 25-16, 25-18, 25-21. Makai Scott topped the Saints with 13 kills and hit .333 for the match.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Scott had a kill in set one to cut the deficit to 4-3 before UCI took a four-point lead. AJ Robateau added a kill to make it 8-5. However, UCI scored five of the next six points to earn some separation. The Saints were able to tally three straight points on kills by Aiden Whitemountain and Scott and got within 23-15 but UCI held on.
 
Set two saw a Robateau kill tie the score 4-4 until UCI tallied four straight and six of the next seven. The Anteaters had an error and a kill by Scott chopped the gap down to 14-11. Maryville stayed close and a kill by Scott and a UCI hitting error made it 21-17. However, the Saints were unable to get closer as UCI took a 2-0 lead.
 
The Saints had 13 kills and their highest hitting percentage of the match in the third set but were unable to extend the match. Maryville took a quick 4-2 lead and were still up 9-7 following a finish by Robateau. UCI went ahead 10-9 but Whitemountain tied the score with a kill. Maryville went back on top 16-15 after a kill by Scott and a solo block by Robateau. Another kill by Whitemountain put the Saints on top 17-16 but that would prove to be the final lead of the night.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kills: Makai Scott - 13
Hitting Percentage: AJ Robateau - .444
Assists: Jake Usher - 23
Service Aces: none
Digs: Zac Clark - 10
Blocks: AJ Robateau - 1
 
RECORDS
Maryville: 0-3
No. 6 UC Irvine: 3-0
 
What's Next?
The Saints stay on the road as they head to Indiana to face Ball State Thursday, Jan. 22, in Muncie, Ind.