SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions (5-3) went on the road to take on an NCAA Division 1 opponent in UC San Diego (10-3). The Tritons became nationally ranked for the first time since 2013 at the end of January and upset a couple of nationally-ranked foes in the last couple of weeks before taking on the Blue and Gold on Saturday evening. UCSD was able to earn a three-set victory, 25-19, 25-21, 27-25 to secure the tenth win of their season. 

UC San Diego hit .289 with 40 kills and 14 kills in 90 attack attempts, while the Lions struggled on the offensive end, posting a .144 hitting percentage with 35 kills and 20 errors in 104 attempts. UCSD also held a 9-4 advantage in blocks as Shane Benetz recorded five total blocks for the Tritons while Logan Clark and Wyatt Harrison each had four blocks. On the defensive side of the ball for the Lions, Colby Cook (JR/Huntington Beach, CA) had a team-high nine digs and Bryce Thompson (SO/Los Alamitos, CA) added seven more, while Cody Watts (FR/Clovis, CA) and Christian Nowtash (SO/Vista, CA) each tallied two blocks. 

On the offensive end, Kyle Anema (SO/La Mirada, CA) had a match-high 21 kills for the Blue and Gold. Watts would record eight kills and Nowtash would earn three kills on the night. Bryce Thompson had a match-high 30 assists as he continually set up his teammates for success. The Lions' best hitting percentage was in the second set where they hit .276 with 13 kills and only five errors. 

Next Game: Friday, February 14 against Hope International at 6:00 p.m.

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