University of California, Merced – Bobcats Fall in Straight Sets at Westcliff

IRVINE, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women’s volleyball team fell in straight sets to Westcliff University at the end of a three-match, three-city road swing, 3-0 (25-13, 25-11, 25-19) Saturday afternoon at the Jordan Lawley Facility.

The Bobcats (3-6, 1-2) visit to Westcliff was the first in program history.

Tea Bishop led the Bobcats efforts with a career-high seven kills to go along with eight digs and two service aces. 

Valentina Evans held team-high with two blocks, including a solo block, while Ellie Gordon and Bianca Malaluan shared team-high with eight assists each.

Hannah Dillingham and Semiramis Tanasecu each pitched in four kills and a block. Serena Choi had five digs and three kills.

UC Merced’s best stretch of the match came in the second set, as head coach Ai Prachumsri‘s team scored five straight points highlighted by back-to-back-back Tanasecu kills. Bishop also had one of her two service aces in that stretch to give the Bobcats a 6-4 lead. The two point lead was the Bobcats biggest set lead of the night. However, the Bobcats would go on to give up a 9-0 after that and would suffer it’s worst scoring margin in the frame, losing 25-11.

Westcliff was led by Maddie Shepston’s 12 total kills and Brooke Scheidle’s five blocks.

Looking ahead, the Bobcats return home and will begin a six-match homestand with University of Antelope Valley on Thursday, September 15. First serve is scheduled for 6:00pm on Hostetler Court inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.