JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The University of California, Merced men's volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 26-24) to #13 University of Jamestown in their first of five games at the Jamestown Invitational on Thursday night.

Ryan Kilgore led the Bobcats (0-2) attempt for a Top 15 true road win with nine kills and four digs.

Jared Guglielmana added eight kills and a solo block, while Colin Ryan finished with four kills without an error on seven attempts and a solo block. Max Niederberger also notched a solo block.

Nathan Campbell and Toby Miller recorded 14 assists and 12 assists, respectively. Both setters had five digs.

Sebas Moreno pitched in eight digs and a service ace.

The Bobcats started the night winning seven of the first ten rallies but then found themselves trailing 11-10 shortly after. Head coach Ai Prachumsri's team jumped back in front at 18-17 following a Miller kill and then led by two points at 22-20, however it was the Jimmies with the first opportunity at set point and they scored it via a UC Merced attack error to win the frame 25-23.

UC Merced never led in the second set and trailed by as many as six points as early as the 8-2 mark. The Bobcats trailed by ten points at 18-8 and couldn't get any closer than nine the remainder of the frame.

A kill from Daniel Del Grande and then a block from Kaleb Cole in his collegiate debut helped give the Bobcats some life in the third set. Del Grande was also in on the block with Cole. UC Merced led 9-6 and upped their lead to four points shortly after following a Kilgore kill. The Bobcats were the first team to 20 via another Del Grande kill but then lost the lead and trailed 22-21. Down 24-23, the Bobcats benefited from a UJ service error to extend the game but then the Bobcats missed a serve and the Jimmies scored match point with a kill to end the night.

Despite losing in straight sets, the Bobcats matched the Jimmies with five blocks and averaged over ten digs per set.

Up next, the Bobcats will play Dordt University at 2:00pm and Campbellsville University at 6:00pm on Friday, February 2 at Harold Newman Arena in Jamestown, ND.