ATHERTON-SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Simpson University men's volleyball fell on the road to open the season on Friday and Saturday.

In match one, SU faced the Banana Slugs from UC Santa Cruz and despite a tough battle particularly in set three, the Red Hawks fell in straight sets 25-20, 25-20, and 31-29.

Christian Murry and Flavio Mercado led the Red Hawk attack combining for 17 kills with Nathan Richards adding seven for Simpson. Nikos Kalagasidis assisted 28 kills and the Red Hawks got an impressive defensive effort from Jacob Saechao, who tallied six blocks in the loss.

In the second match in two days, the Red Hawks matched up against Menlo College, dropping the match 25-22, 25-16, and 25-19.

JJ James, Nathan Richards, and Flavio Mercado each added seven kills for Simpson with Kalagasidis adding 25 assists in the match.

Defensively, James finished with three blocks and Quinn Wright led SU with seven digs, Richards added five as well.

Simpson will continue its non-conference schedule as they will face Hope International and Cal Lutheran before Cal Pac play begins in mid-February. SU hits the court next on the road against Hope on Friday, Feb.10th with first serve at 5 PM.