ANGWIN, Calif. - The women's volleyball team looked to claim the top spot as they took on UC Merced and Pacific Union College today in Angwin, CA for a doubleheader. 

The Red Hawks clashed with the Bobcats for its first game of the day. Coming into the day, UC Merced held a one-game lead over Simpson for the top spot in the Cal Pac standings. 

Simpson struck early on back-to-back kills by Katie Graham and Mariah Napoleon to grab the early lead. 

Napoleon's third kill of the game gave Simpson the early 11-10 advantage before the Red Hawks and Bobcats exchanged rallies. 

With the score 18-16 in favor of the Bobcats, UC Merced went on a crucial 6-1 run to move into match-point territory. 

Back-to-back kills by Graham pulled Simpson within five, but not before the Bobcats prevailed and took the opening set 25-19. 

An ace by Madison Kammuller put Simpson on the board first before the Bobcats took the 6-3 lead. 

However, the Red Hawks exploded for seven straight points to force a UC Merced timeout and make it a 10-6 game. 

Reigning Cal Pac Attacker of the Week Tiara Manns anchored the run as she notched three kills. 

After the Bobcats tied the game at 11, a kill by Mallory Swernson allowed the Red Hawks to retake the lead. 

But the Bobcats went on a devastating 12-2 run to take the commanding 23-13 lead before closing out the game 25-17 to take the 2-0 match lead. 

UC Merced looked to take the game in straight sets as they jumped out to the early 7-2 lead. . 

Simpson did not go quietly as they fought and chipped away. With the score 17-15 in favor of the Bobcats, the Red Hawks went on a 5-1 run to take the 20-18 lead. 

A huge solo block by Dani Rydjord sprung two kills by Kare Ann Oshiro and a kill by Graham. 

After the Bobcats retook the 21-20 lead, the Red Hawks reeled off three straight points to take the 23-21 lead and force a Bobcat timeout. 

A kill by Manns moved Simpson into set point territory but the Bobcats came roaring back and scored three unanswered points to take the 26-24 third-set thriller. 

Tiara Manns had a team-high 15 kills as Katie Graham followed close behind with 10 kills to go along with two blocks. 

Simpson bounced back in the second game of the day as they took down the Pioneers in straight sets. 

They took the early 5-2 lead on an ace by Kiahla Granger and kills by Graham and Manns. 

The Red Hawks doubled up the Pioneers and took the 12-6 lead on three kills by Napoleon, two kills by Manns, and a kill by Graham, Swenson, and Abigail Shackelford. 

The Pioneers pulled within two late in the first set but the Red Hawks closed out the first set victory 25-23 on a kill by Graham. 

Simpson continued to stay hot as they grabbed the commanding 13-5 lead in set two as reigning Cal Pac Attacker of the Week Tiara Manns notched three kills. 

The Red Hawks never relinquished the lead as Swenson converted on back-to-back kills to close out the 25-17 set two victory. 

But the Pioneers did not go quietly as they held the 18-13 lead. 

However, the Red Hawks roared back as they went on a 7-2 run to tie the game at 20 on two kills a piece by Manns, Swenson, and Dani Rydjord. 

Simpson closed out the straight-set victory as they went on a 5-2 run with Swenson notching three kills. 

Katie Graham and Tiara Manns combined for 22 kills as they each notched 11 kills apiece while Graham had a stellar .476 hitting percentage. 

Senior setter Sierra Murphy had a stellar night as she notched 20 assists to go along with nine digs on the night. 

Madison Kammuller had a solid game on defense as she picked up 20 digs. 

Simpson looks to be back in action on Halloween as they take on Providence Christian at 6 pm.