MERCED, Calif. - The men's volleyball squad hit the road as they took on UC Merced tonight to begin a stretch of five road games to close out the season. 

The first points of the night belonged to Francis Gates as the Red Hawks jumped out to the early 8-3 lead on two aces by Akira Davis, a kill by reigning Cal Pac Defender of the Week, Nathan Richards, and a solo block from Micah Nakasato. 

The Red Hawks extended its lead to six as they reeled off three unanswered points to take the 16-10 lead on a duo block from Jacob Shelton and Flavio Mercado. 

The Bobcats pulled within two late in the first set before a timeout by Coach Steven Brasher swung the momentum back in Simpson's favor as they scored the final two points capped off by a kill by Shelton to take the first set 25-23. 

Simpson kept the hot streak going to begin the second set as they jumped out to the early 6-1 lead as Richards, Mercado, and Davies notched kills. 

Kobe Valdez and Shelton notched kills to give Simpson the 16-11 lead before the Bobcats called a crucial timeout. 

The Bobcats swung the second set in its favor as they outscored the Red Hawks 14-7 to take the second set 25-23 to tie the match score. 

Richards got Simpson on the board first in the third set as they grabbed the early 11-6 lead as they scored five straight points before a UC Merced timeout. 

With the score tied at 16, the Red Hawks went on a vital 8-2 run to move into match-point territory as Valdez picked up two kills followed by a set-ending kill by Davies to give Simpson the 2-1 advantage. 

Simpson looked to close out the game as they grabbed the early 8-3 lead as Davies, Richards, and Valdez posted kills. 

Gates slammed down a huge kill to tie the game at 23, but the Bobcats edged the Red Hawks in the fourth set as they scored the final two points to return the favor and take the 25-23 victory to force a deciding fifth set.

The Bobcats struck early in the fifth set as they took the 4-1 lead before extending its lead to 10-5. Simpson played catch-up for the rest of the fifth set as they could not overcome the early deficit as they fell 15-10 in five sets. 

Richards had a big game as he posted a team-high 17 kills followed by an 11-kill performance by Davies. 

Nakasato had a solid game as he notched a team-high 46 assists and 17 digs to go along with five total blocks. 

Simpson hits the road next week as they take on California Lutheran at 6 pm on March 27th. 
 

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