University of California, Merced – Bobcats Drop Two Matches at UJ Invitational

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The University of California, Merced men’s volleyball team lost two matches on day one of the UJ Invitational on Friday, falling to Dordt University in four sets (25-12, 21-25, 25-22, 25-23) and #10 University of Jamestown in straight sets (25-19, 25-19, 25-17). The Bobcats (1-6) played both teams for the first time in program history.

Chris Morikawa highlighted the Bobcats efforts with 21 total kills, eight digs, and three blocks. He registered 13 kills in Friday’s opener, good for his second highest kills output in the young season. Two of his three total blocks were solo blocks which moved him into a tie with Trevor Jurlina for fifth on UC Merced’s all-time list with 25 career solo blocks.

Ryan Kilgore smacked a combined 15 kills while maintaining a .357 hitting percentage. Similar to Morikawa, Kilgore was also good for seven digs and three blocks.

Toby Miller registered a career-high 37 assists in the opening match before tallying 18 more in the later game.

Sebas Moreno and Jared Guglielmana also recorded career-high’s vs. Dordt with nine digs and four blocks, respectively. Guglielmana added eight kills vs. Dordt to his defensive efforts.

Reigning Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Week Jozef Lingenfelter began his UJ Invitational combining for eight kills, five blocks (four vs. Dordt), four digs, and two service aces.

Other individual notables on the day include seven digs each from Miller and Guglielmana, four total kills from Brennan Taylor, and two blocks apiece from Taylor and Max Niederberger.

Despite the loss to Dordt, the Bobcats recorded season-high’s of 35 digs and ten blocks. Also a positive, the Bobcats won a set in a match they lost for the first time this season. Head coach Ai Prachumsri‘s team managed to beat the Defenders in the second set by limiting them to a -.121 hitting percentage. Four Bobcats had a solo block in the second set, including Niederberger to help spark a 7-1 UC Merced run. However, Dordt followed with a .353 success rate and a .222 success rate in the final two sets to knock off the Bobcats 3-1 in the match.

Against the host and tenth-ranked University of Jamestown on Friday night, the Bobcats held leads midway through the first and second set but were unable to hold off the Jimmies. UJ controlled the majority of the third set.

Up next, UC Merced plays two more first time opponents when they close out the UJ Invitational with Central Christian College…