UCI’s Pestolesi earns share of Big West award

Freshman Kari Pestolesi earned a share of the Big West Conference Player of the Week honor after leading UC Irvine to a 2-1 record that included a near upset of No. 4 USC and two Big West wins that lifted UCI to a first-place tie in the standings.

Pestolesi pounded 22 kills against the Trojans and added 18 digs for her ninth double-double of the season as the Anteaters pushed USC to five games for the first time in seven meetings. Against Pacific, Pestolesi totaled 12 kills, six digs and five block assists and added another double-double against UC Davis with 13 kills and 18 digs.

— From staff reports