REDDING, Calif. - The men's volleyball team picked its first conference win of the year as they finished its two-game home stand strong with a straight-set victory over Park-Gilbert University tonight.
The boys won convincingly; 25-15 in set one, 25-16 in set two, and 25-13 in set three.
Simpson tied the game 3-3 after two straight kills by
Nathan Richards and
Flavio Mercado.
The Buccaneers owned a 6-4 lead before a 7-0 Red Hawks run doubled up the Bucs for a 12-6 lead.
The SU run included kills by
Akira Davies, Mercado, and Richards while
Quinn Wright produced two service aces.
Simpson slammed the door on a 5-1 run to close out the first set victory on back-to-back kills by Davies.
The Red Hawks carried the momentum into set two as they jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with the help of Buccaneer miscues and a kill by Richards and a service ace by Davies.
A 15-11 Red Hawks lead grew to a 20-11 lead on five unanswered points.
Travis Kelly got in on the fun with a kill and Mercado notched two service aces.
Mercado put the finishing touches in set two as he slammed down the set point kill.
Set three picked up with the Red Hawks drawing first blood with a Mercado kill.
Simpson created separation as they notched six straight points thanks to kills by Kelly and Richards.
The Red Hawks closed out the set three victory on three straight points and a
Thomas Saunders kill to end the match.
Nathan Richards had a stellar night as he registered 10 kills to go along with a .615 hitting percentage for the game.
Flavio Mercado had a solid game as well as he slammed down 10 kills for a .389 hitting percentage.
Jayden Minarcik had another good night setting up his attackers as he recorded 29 assists.
Simpson looks to stay hot as they continue play on February 29th on the road against The Master's University.
