University of California, Merced – Bobcats Complete Reverse Sweep, Beat Fresno Pacific

MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women’s volleyball team earned a historical win on Tuesday night, completing a reverse sweep over Fresno Pacific University for the program’s first ever win against a NCAA Division II opponent, 3-2 (19-25, 15-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-11) inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.

The Bobcats (8-9, 5-5) were 0-4 against NCAA DII opponents entering the night. The Bobcats reverse sweep was also a program first. Making the win more impressive, Fresno Pacific is currently runner-up in their conference and played to a 9-2 record in their previous eleven matches.

UC Merced, playing their first match since October 1, was led by Serena Choi‘s impressive all-around performance consisting of 19 assists, 15 digs, nine kills, four service aces and three blocks. Choi’s 15 digs and four service aces marked season-high’s, while her three blocks tied a season-high.

Olanasaze Ojo smacked a team-high eleven kills, nine of which came in sets 3-5. Ojo was key in garnering UC Merced momentum with six kills in just the third set alone. Ojo, who has double figure kills in three straight matches, also had two blocks.

Semiramis Tanasecu joined Ojo in double figures and tied her career-high with ten kills to go along with four blocks, one solo. Hannah Dillingham also had ten kills. The Bobcats outside hitter also tied her season-high with six digs and powered across her first two service aces of the season.

Bianca Malaluan was good for 24 assists and six digs, while Destiny Lei Ramilo helped anchor the back row and shared team-high with 15 digs. Annamarie Caldero and Jalen Carey were good for seven and six digs, respectively. Haley Branley shared match-high with four service aces. Lei Ramilo and Carey also had a service ace.

Other individual notables include six kills and three blocks from Valentina Evans, six digs from Alexa Ultreras, and four digs and three kills from Teola Nowak.

Aside from a 4-0 run and a few 3-0 runs, the Bobcats didn’t have a whole lot going for them in the first two sets. Dillingham led the Bobcats efforts in the first two sets combining for four kills, a solo block and a service ace. Choi also had a stellar stretch with three consecutive service service aces.

After falling in the first two sets, the Bobcats bounced back nicely and got off to a hot start by winning four of the first five rallies in the third set. Then tied 5-5, Ojo sparked a 4-0 run with a kill…