REDDING, Cali. - The men's volleyball squad fell in four sets to former Cal Pac rival and current DII opponent UC Merced. 

The Red Hawks drew first blood on a kill by Jacob Shelton, but the Bobcats mounted a 20-13 lead before the Red Hawks rallied for five straight points to pull within two. 

Dehryn Brown anchored the rally with a kill and a service ace while Akira Davies and Jacob Shelton posted a duo-block. 

However, the Bobcats prevailed as they took the first set 25-21 on three straight points. 

Simpson started strong with back-to-back points on a kill by Brown, followed by a service ace. 

The Red Hawks held the 15-7 lead on an 8-1 run on kills by Afatia Thompson Jr., Davies, and Brown. 

The Bobcats mounted a quick rally before being quieted by the Red Hawks as a kill by Davies moved Simpson into set-point territory and a solo block by Diego Chavez gave Simpson the 25-19 second set victory. 

But the Bobcats answered back as they compiled a commanding 17-4 lead and never looked back as they took the third set 25-11 to take the match advantage. 

With their backs against the wall and facing a 24-22 deficit. The Red Hawks rallied with a block by Davies to start a rally of three straight points as Brown posted back-to-back kills to flip the script and give Simpson the set-point advantage. 

However, the Bobcats did not go quietly as they scored three straight points to take the 27-25 fourth victory to escape Redding with a four-set victory. 

Brown led the Reed Hawks with 15 kills to go along with nine digs, while Davies followed close behind with 10 kills, and Thompson Jr. led the defense with 10 digs. 

Tyce Nakamura and David Raffaelli split time at the setter spot as they combined for 30 assists, one ace, and seven digs. 

Simpson looks to be back in action this Friday as they hit the road to take on Jessup University at 7 pm in Rocklin, CA. 
 

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