ATHERTON, Calif. - The men's volleyball team opened its 2024 season in Atherton, CA yesterday as they took on Menlo College. 

The Red Hawks fell in straight sets to the #7 team in the nation Menlo College, 10-25, 14-25, 17-25. 

The first points of the 2024 year belonged to junior Nathan Richards to put Simpson on the board first. 

However, four straight Menlo points gave the Oaks the early lead until another kill by Richards broke the 4-0 run and cut the Oaks lead in half. 

But the Oaks exploded for a 16-4 run to close out the first set victory, 25-10. 

The Oaks continued its hot streak in set two as they grabbed an early 6-0 lead. 

Three straight kills by Richards gave the Red Hawks life as they cut into Menlo's 9-4 lead. 

The Oaks seemed to do no wrong as they took set two in convincing fashion, 25-14. 

However, Simpson did not go quietly as back-to-back kills by Richards pulled Simpson within one point early in the third set. 

A 3-0 Red Hawks run started by a kill by Flavio Mercado tied the game at seven. 

The Oakls would pull away late but a 3-0 Red Hawks run included kills by Adonijah James Raffaelli and Flavio Mercado pulled Simpson within six points, 17-23. 

But Menlo held off Simpson's late rally and closed out the third set 17-25 to take the match in straight sets. 

The Red Hawks showed grit as they battled in set three against one of the nations best men's volleyball program. 

Simpson will continue its road trip as they take on UC Santa Cruz on Sunday at 2 PM.