MESA, Ariz. - The men's team concluded its season today in Mesa, AZ as they took on Benedictine University. 

The Red Hawks looked to finish the year strong as they are coming off a straight-set victory against Park on Thursday. 

Ben U took the early advantage as they scored the first point of the night and jumped out to the early 10-5 lead. 

Simpson fought back as they went on a 5-1 run with kills by Nathan Richards, Flavio Mercado, and Jacob Shelton to pull within one before Simpson tied the game 15-15. 

But Ben U went on its own 5-1 run to grab the 20-16 lead. But Simpson once again pulled within one after three straight points. 

However, Ben U secured the 25-20 first-set victory to take the 1-0 match lead. 

Simpson earned the first point of the second set and took the early 5-3 lead before five straight points by Ben U. 

The Battle of the Red Hawks ensued as Simpson held the 17-15 lead on a kill by David Raffaelli. 

However, an 8-2 run in favor of Ben U stifled the Red Hawks as they took set two 25-19 to take the commanding 2-0 match lead. 

With its backs against the wall, Simpson battled to extend its season and came out firing in set three. 

Simpson took the commanding 11-1 lead on an ace by Adonijah James Raffaelli, and kills by Shelton, Richards, and Akira Davies. Davies notched four kills during the run. 

The deficit proved too large for Ben U as a block by Shelton sealed the 25-21 third-set victory for Simpson to make it a 2-1 match score. 

Simpson looked to stay hot as they scored the first two points of the fourth set on a kill by Shelton and a block by Davies. 

A kill by Shelton tied the game 8-8. But a 12-4 Ben U run provided some separation as they grew its lead to 20-12.

Simpson fought and scratched as they scored three straight points late on kills by Richards and Mercado to pull within five. 

However, Ben U closed out the 25-17 set four victory and took the match 3-1.

Nathan Richards had a stellar game hitting as he recorded a team-high 17 kills to go along with a .452 hitting percentage with three total blocks. 

In his final game in a Red Hawk uniform, David Raffaelli notched 38 assists, five digs, and one block.

The Red Hawks now enter the offseason and hope to combine a strong recruiting class with decorated returners to be a force next year.