LA JOLLA, Calif. — UC San Diego women's volleyball opened the 2025 season with a decisive 3-0 victory over Eastern Washington at LionTree Arena on Friday evening. The Tritons took their first match of the UC San Diego Invitational with set scores of 25-12, 25-11, 25-13. It was the first ever meeting between the Tritons (1-0) and the Eagles (0-2).
 
Molly McCluskey led the offensive charge for the Tritons, recording 16 kills on 22 attempts for a remarkable hitting percentage of .682, setting the Tritons' Division I single match record. She also contributed 11 digs and two blocks, totaling 17 points.
 
Freshman Maija Nepszy facilitated the attack with 34 assists and added two service aces. Jasmine Saran was a defensive presence at the net, registering two solo blocks and two assisted blocks for a total of four blocks. Madison Johnson contributed both offensively and defensively with four kills on six attempts for a .667 hitting percentage and added three service aces.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons opened the first set strong, taking an early 4-1 lead thanks to a block by Saran and a kill from McCluskey. Midway through the set, the Tritons extended their advantage to 8-2, with Saran and Ireland McNees contributing key blocks and kills. McCluskey was instrumental in maintaining the momentum, registering multiple kills that helped secure a 25-12 victory in the opening set.
 
UC San Diego put together another quick start to begin the second set, jumping to an early 5-0 lead, highlighted by Nepszy's two service aces and a kill from McCluskey. The home team maintained momentum throughout the set, with McCluskey contributing significantly through five kills. The Tritons sealed the set with a 25-11 win, effectively capitalizing on errors by the Eagles and tough defense, including a solo block by Saran to secure the final point.
 
The Tritons took control once again to begin the third set, with Johnson serving back-to-back aces, contributing to a 3-0 run that extended an early lead to 4-1. As the set progressed, Stefania Alupei and Saran consistently found success at the net, each recording multiple kills. The Tritons closed out the set with an 8-2 scoring run, capped with a kill by Lucia Barroso that clinched the set 25-13.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Molly McCluskey finished two kills shy of her career high with 16 for the night, recording her first double-double of the season.
• McCluskey set the Tritons' D-I single match record for attack percentage (.682).
• Five Tritons made their debut for UC San Diego, including Maria Fernanda Afonso, Stefania Alupei, Lucia Barroso, Ireland McNees and Maija Nepszy.
• It was the first all-time meeting for the two programs.
• Starters included Maria Afonso, Paulina Baillie, Molly McCluskey, Ireland McNees, Maija Nepszy and Jasmine Saran.

UP NEXT
The Tritons will return to action on the second day of the UC San Diego Invitational, playing host to New Mexico State on Saturday at 3 p.m. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live statistics will be available via UCSDTritons.com.
 
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About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.