ANGWIN, Calif. - The men's team picked up its first conference win in the second round as they defeated Pacific Union on the road in straight sets this afternoon. 
 

?? Final Score ??

Men's Volleyball ????

?? Pacific Union 

3-0

Let's Go Red Hawks!!!?????? pic.twitter.com/PaqXpsKXGb
— Simpson Red Hawks (@SimpsonRedHawks) March 18, 2024
 

The first points of the night belonged to an Akira Davies kill as they jumped out to an early 4-2 lead on back-to-back kills by Travis Kelly and Flavio Mercado. 

The Red Hawks grabbed a commanding 11-3 lead on seven straight points on Pioneer miscues, an ace by Adonijah Raffaelli, and a kill by Mercado. 

Simpson never lost the lead in the first set as a Mercado kill closed out the first set 25-21 victory to gain the 1-0 match lead. 

An early 2-0 lead for Simpson continued the momentum as an attacking error by the Pioneers and a kill by Kelly put Simpson on the board first. 

The Pioneers carried a couple of early runs to take the lead before three straight points by Simpson helped them regain the 11-9 advantage on kills by Jacob Shelton and Akira Davies. 

A 9-3 SU run created separation as they held a commanding 21-13 lead as Jean-Paul James got in on the action and notched two kills. 

Back-to-back kills by Kelly set up match point and a Pioneer attacking error sealed the 25-18 second set victory for Simpson. 

Simpson looked to complete the sweep and take the game in straight sets. But the Pioneers took the early 2-0 lead before a kill by Kelly got Simpson on the board in set three. 

A 9-3 run early helped Simpson take the 16-9 advantage on kills by Kelly, James, Shelton, and Davies. 

Simpson cruised in the third set as they never allowed the Pioneers to come within less than five points from this point forward. 

A final kill by Davies ended the third set 25-19 victory and gave Simpson the straight-set match victory. 

Travis Kelly had quite the game as he notched a team-high 10 kills while posting five total blocks to go along with a .412 hitting percentage for the game. 

David Raeffaelii had another solid game as he recorded 35 assists on the game. 

Simpson begins the second round of conference play 1-1 after this weekend and will host Saint Katherine this week Friday at 6 PM.