MERCED, Calif. - University of California-Merced (9-9, 4-4) hosted Vanguard University (10-5, 6-2) on Saturday afternoon. The Lions earned the victory against the Bobcats in three sets 25-22, 25-23, and 25-18, ending their conference NorCal swing with a 1-1 record. This mark the first time the two programs played.

During the first set, the lead exchanged between the two teams until the Bobcats gained a three-point advantage 14-11. An attacking error from UCM and a pair of kills from Dylan Garcia (FR/Los Angeles, CA) quickly tied back up the game for the Pride. The Blue and Gold managed to gain the upper hand 22-20, but the Bobcats made quick work to tie the game again. The Lions were then able to defensively hold the division II university from scoring and were able to push offensively to secure the three final points to earn the 25-22 victory in the first set.

Cody Watts (FR/Clovis, CA) was able to obtain an early lead in the second set with a kill, allowing the Pride to extend their advantage by three points. After the Bobcats tied the match 13-13, the dynamic duo of Christian Nowtash (SO/Vista, CA) and Garcia traded kills to take back the lead, which opened up the game for the Blue and Gold. Kyle Anema (SO/La Mirada, CA) stepped up and tallied the three points of last six points that earned the 25-23 win in the second set.

Anema recorded three points off of his opening serves in the third set and set up the Pride to lengthen their lead early. The Lions were able to extend their advantage by five with a block from Nowtash and Bryce Thompson (SO/Los Alamitos, CA). From there, surged ahead to 20-13 off a serve from Cameron Way (SO/Dana Point, CA) that forced the Bobcats to make an attacking error. Nowtash secured four of the last five points for the Pride off a pair of serves and two kills. Vanguard ended the final set 25-18 in their three-set sweep.

Anema tallied a game-high of 17 kills, a hitting percentage of .452, and seven digs. Nowtash followed in suit with 11 kills, one block assist, and six digs. Garcia finished out the night 10 kills, along with with with a hitting percentage of .412 and three digs.

Next Match: Friday, March 6th at Grand Canyon University at 3:00 p.m.

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