SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The men's volleyball team continued its road trip down to Santa Cruz to take on D3 opponent UC Santa Cruz. 

The Red Hawks battled in its second contest of the year but fell to the Banana Slugs in straight sets. 

Simpson got on the board after a service error by UC Santa Cruz followed by a kill by Nathan Richards to cut into the early 2-3 deficit. 

The Red Hawks and Banana Slugs jostled back and forth until Simpson scored three straight points. 

A kill by freshman Akira Davies and an Ace by David Raeffaelli helped tie the game at 14. 

However, a 6-1 UC Santa Cruz run helped create some separation.

The Red Hawks put together a late run started by a Richards kill to pull within three points before the Banana Slugs closed out the first set 25-19. 

UC Santa Cruz got off to a fast start as they took the early 6-1 lead in set two. 

But the Red Hawks fought back as they went on a 5-1 run to pull within one point in thanks to kills by Flavio Mercado and Jacob Shelton. 

Once again, Simpson would mount a late rally as they reeled off three straight points to pull within four points, 19-23. But the Banana Slugs were able to seal the second set, 25-19. 

UC Santa Cruz jumped out to the early 4-0 lead before a Mercado kill helped get the Red Hawks on the board in the third set. 

The Banana Slugs proved to be too lethal as they took the third set 25-15 to win the game. 

The Red Hawks will have an off week as they hit the road to take on Vanguard on February 9th at 7 PM.