COSTA MESA, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-14) to 2023 NAIA National Champion and third-ranked Vanguard University on Thursday night.

Vanguard hit .333 and recorded 14 service aces in their season-opener to beat the Bobcats (1-7).

Vanguard's Andrew Shevland led the way with eleven kills on a .625 hitting percentage.

Jared Guglielmana led the Bobcats efforts with five kills and a solo block. Ryan Kilgore added four kills and a career-high tying three blocks, including one solo. His solo block moved him ahead of Emmanuel Egun for fifth in program history with 31 career solo blocks.

Brennan Taylor added three kills on three swings, while Jared Schnake had six digs.

Toby Miller and Nathan Campbell registered ten and six assists, respectively.

UC Merced led 7-5 in the first set but Vanguard responded with a 6-1 run and used that spurt to remain in front the rest of the frame. The Lions led by six points at 18-12 and by seven at 22-15 on their way to the 1-0 match lead.

The Bobcats were within three points midway through the second set but couldn't pull any closer. The Lions, up 14-11, created separation with a 7-0 run and Reza Tahmasebi had two kills and a block in the stretch. Vanguard would win the set 25-14.

The Lions hit .571 in the final frame to help secure the sweep. A pair of 4-0 runs had Vanguard up 9-2 but the Bobcats didn't go away just yet and came within four points at the 11-7 mark. The Lions slowly extended their lead back up and it reached eight points at 19-11. Leading 22-14, Vanguard smacked back-to-back kills and then a service ace was scored for match point.

Up next, UC Merced will play at Hope International University on Friday, February 9. First serve from Darling Pavilion in Fullerton, Calif., is scheduled for 6:00pm.