REDDING, Calif. - The men's volleyball team concluded its two-game home stand as they hosted #12 in the nation, Westcliff University tonight. 

A kill by Tyrus Cloat got the scoring started as Simpson held onto the early 11-10 lead off back-to-back kills by Francis Gates and Nathan Richards. 

Simpson scored three straight points as a duo block from Micah Nakasato and Jacob Shelton started the rally followed by kills by Richards and Cloat to give Simpson the 18-17 advantage. 

A big swing by Gates tied the game at 22. But the Warriors scored the next three points to take the opening set 25-22 to take the match lead. 

A kill by Cloat got Simpson on the board in the second set as Richards notched two straight kills to give Simpson the early 3-1 lead.

Mercado picked up a kill to extend Simpson's lead to make it an 8-5 game before the Warriors answered with an 11-2 run to take the 14-10 lead. 

However, the Red Hawks answered with a key 6-2 run to tie the game at 18 as Mercado posted three kills. 

The Warriors clung to a 23-19 lead before the Red Hawks mounted a late rally to pull within one, 24-23 on back-to-back kills by Cloat.

But the Warriors held off the Red Hawks late rally as they took the second set 25-23 to take the commanding 2-0 match lead. 

Simpson did not go quietly as they battled back in the third set and regained the 16-15 lead on a block by Francis Gtaes and two kills by Cloat. 

The Red Hawks refused to be denied as they went on a 5-1 run to close out the third set victory 25-23 as Cloat anchored the rally with three kills to go along with a block with Gates. 

Westcliff jumped out to the early 6-2 lead and never looked back as they never surrendered the lead. 

Simpson's final gasp came on a 3-0 run late in the fourth set to pull Simpson within two, 21-19. But not before the Warriors closed out the match on a 4-1 run to take the fourth set 25-20. 

Cloat had a huge game as he posted a team-high 17 kills to go along with a .324 hitting percentage. 

Nakasato had a stellar game as he notched a team-high 39 assists and 13 digs.

Simpson looks to hit the road as they take on Jessup on Tuesday at 6 pm in Rocklin, CA. 
 

Be sure to stay up to date and follow us at @simpsonredhawks on Instagram, Facebook, and X.