University of California, Merced – Bobcats Fall to Saint Katherine in Straight Sets

MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women’s volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-7, 25-16, 25-18) to University of Saint Katherine on Saturday afternoon inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.

Olanasaze Ojo led the Bobcats (10-12, 7-8) efforts with six kills and a block. Alexa Ultreras was good for five kills and a career-high two blocks. Semiramis Tanasecu pitched in three kills and three blocks. Valentina Evans and Hannah Dillingham had two blocks each.

Other individual notables include seven assists and six digs from Bianca Malaluan, five digs from Ellie Gordon, and a service ace from Alyssa Dudley.

University of Saint Katherine was led by Addison Metts’ 12 kills and Cassandra Orozcos’ five blocks. The Firebirds finished with ten service aces in the sweep.

The Bobcats fell victim of a 10-0 USK run early in the first set and were never able to recover. Ojo started the second set with a kill and the Bobcats also led 2-1, but that was it the rest of the afternoon. The Bobcats hung around with the Firebirds and remained within four points at 17-13 before the second set got away from them.

Head coach Ai Prachumsri‘s team scored an afternoon team-best 18 points in the third set, including four points in a row to pull within three of Saint Katherine at 18-15. Tanasecu highlighted the 4-0 run with two blocks and a kill. USK then finished the match on a 7-3 run to complete the sweep.

UC Merced will now travel to Arizona for three consecutive matches October 27-29 beginning with Park University Gilbert on Thursday, October 27 at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Ariz. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm.