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 and the Bobcats managed to hold the lead the rest of the frame. Another Ojo kill later on extended the Bobcats lead to 19-13. Ojo and Choi each had two more kills before the Bobcats won the set 25-18.

A back and forth fourth set saw 12 ties and no team with a lead larger than three points. The Bobcats delivered the first punch with a Dillingham kill, and then after trailing 6-5, responded to the Sunbirds and were the first team to ten points. The Bobcats then came back from a 20-18 deficit to pull even with the Sunbirds at 20. The set was also tied 21-21, 22-22, 23-23. Tanasecu scored the Bobcats 24th point via the kill, and then Branley secured set point and forced the decisive fifth set with a service ace.

The Bobcats, playing in their second straight five-set match, trailed 8-5 when the two teams switched sides in the final frame. The Bobcats immediately earned a sideout and Carey followed with a game-changing 6-0 service run. Choi and Tanasecu highlighted the runs with back-to-back solo blocks. The Bobcats led 12-8 at the conclusion of the run and led by at least three the rest of the way. Up 14-11, Choi set Ojo and the Bobcats outside hitter delivered a kill for the historic match point. The match point officially secured the Bobcats first ever reverse sweep and first ever win over a NCAA DII opponent. 

Other NCAA DII opponents the Bobcats have played include Holy Names University (2019), Stanislaus State (2015) and Westminster College (2X, 2012).

Up next, the Bobcats return to Cal Pac action with a road trip beginning with University of Antelope Valley on Friday, October 14. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, Calif.