ATHERTON, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's volleyball team fell in straight sets to eighth-ranked Menlo College on Saturday night, 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-15).

Jozef Lingenfelter led the Bobcats (0-2) with five kills on a .375 hitting percentage and a career-high four blocks, one solo.

Chris Morikawa was good for five kills and six digs, while Lincoln Smith and Ryan Kilgore each added four kills. Smith had four kills without an error on seven swings. Smith also had two blocks, one solo.

Toby Miller and Jared Schnake finished with ten assists apiece. Miller was responsible for one of the Bobcats two service aces on the night, joining Ashton Wooldridge, who recorded his first career ace.

Other individual notables include four assists from Nathan Campbell, three digs from Sebas Moreno, and two kills from Schnake. CJ Blankenship and Max Niederberger recorded their first career kill in their collegiate debut.

After not grabbing a lead in the opening set, UC Merced played Menlo much tighter in the second frame and won four of the first six rallies. The two teams were later tied 10-10, 15-15, and 17-17 before the Oaks pulled away with a 6-0 run and an 8-2 set-ending run.

Menlo controlled the third set from start to finish, leading by double figures as early as the 16-6 mark. UC Merced never got closer than nine points the rest of the match.

Up next, UC Merced will host Hope International University for the 2023 home opener on Tuesday, January 31 at 5:00pm inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.