Davis, Calif. – Sophomore Olivia Utterback put her team on her back with a season-high 16 kills as the UC Davis women's volleyball team took down UC Irvine, 3-2, in a five-set thriller Thursday night at the University Credit Union Center in Davis, Calif.
 
"We showed some resilience," head coach Dan Conners said. "I loved the way we bounced back. We were very determined tonight. We played our defensive system well. After that first set, we were very solid."
 
The Aggies improved to 2-1 in the Big West Conference standings and are now back over .500 at 7-6 on the year. UC Irvine dropped to 1-2 in conference play and 8-5 on the season.
 
With 54 kills on the night, the UC Davis offense produced one of their best efforts of the season with three Aggies finishing in double-digit kills, including a double-double (16 kills and 14 digs) by Utterback.
 
"Olivia followed the game plan and executed really well," Conners said. "She mixed in off-speed shots. She hit the high line when it was necessary. She took control of the offense in transition. She played a great game."
 
Redshirt junior Demari Webb and senior Josephine Ough contributed effectively to the electric offense with 14 and 12 kills respectively. Ough was a big presence at the net with 7 total blocks. Junior Lana Radakovic added two solo blocks and four block assists as well.
 
The game went back-and-forth for most of the match with the Aggies dropping the opening set, 25-22, but responded with a tight 25-23 victory in the second set.
 
In a pivotal third set, the Aggies utilized a 5-0 run to take a 14-9 lead at a UC Irvine timeout. The Anteaters tried to answer out of the break, but the momentum swung in favor of the home team with the Aggies ultimately capping a third-set victory, 25-16, on a 3-0 run.
 
The fourth set saw the visitors command the ship with a pair of 5-0 runs mixed in with some selective serves. The Aggies had no response then, setting up a game-deciding fifth set.
 
The Aggies pounced on the Anteaters early and often to begin the fifth and final set, taking an 8-2 lead after a pair of 3-0 runs. With junior Shira Lahav at the service line, the Aggies extended their lead to eight points, forcing another UC Irvine timeout.
 
A big block by Radakovic and Webb sparked another 5-0 run that lasted all the way to the finish line as the Aggies secured a hard-fought victory in dominant fashion, 15-3.
 
The Aggies hit .162 in the match compared to .148 for the Anteaters.
 
UC Davis has a quick turnaround to prepare for their next match, hosting UC San Diego on Saturday at 7 pm PT.