ROCKLIN, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's volleyball team swept NCAA Division II foe Jessup on Thursday night in the first ever meeting between the two teams, winning by set scores of 25-11, 25-21, 25-22.
The Bobcats (2-3) tallied nine service aces and 8.5 blocks, and held Jessup to a -.029 hitting percentage. The Bobcats nine aces marked the most in a three-set match since February 24, 2024.
Daniel Del Grande led the Bobcats with five kills, a career-high three service aces, and two blocks, one solo. Del Grande hit .500 (5/1/8). His first service ace was also the first of his career.
Jared Guglielmana finished with six kills, two solo blocks, and a service ace. With his two solo blocks, Guglielmana tied Emmanuel Egun for sixth in program history with 30 career solo blocks.
Kaleb Cole, Max Niederberger, Toby Miller, and Jozef Lingenfelter put away four kills each. They all added more elsewhere.
Cole recorded his first career service ace and finished with three on the night, while also adding three blocks (two solo).
Miller registered 20 assists and two service aces, while Niederberger and Lingenfelter had two solo blocks and three digs, respectively. Sebas Moreno tallied five digs.
The Bobcats scored four of the first five points in the first set and never looked back. UC Merced used two more 4-0 runs or better later on, including a 5-0 run towards the end of the set to extend the lead to 13 points at 22-9. Del Grande had his three service aces in the run. Shortly after, Cole smacked a kill for set point. Cole's kill completed an impressive .533 hitting percentage in the first set.
Jessup struck first in the second set with a 6-2 spurt early on. The Bobcats bounced back with seven unanswered points with Miller behind the service line. Miller also had a kill in the run that gave the Bobcats a 12-8 lead. The Bobcats, who led the rest of the frame, led by five points at 15-10 and then again later on at 20-15. Jessup pulled within three points down the stretch but a solo block from Del Grande and a kill from Lingenfelter sealed the set two victory.
The Del Grande and Lingenfelter duo also opened the third set with a kill apiece. Three quick lead changes followed, but Jessup gained some momentum in its first ever home game and grabbed an 11-8 lead. UC Merced immediately responded with a 5-1 run that included a triple block, however more lead changes followed. Jessup went up 16-14 and then UC Merced regained the advantage at 19-18 after a Niederberger solo block. The Bobcats rode that solo block to match point, maintaining their lead the rest of the way ultimately scoring match point with Miller's fourth kill.
Up next, UC Merced will host Jessup for the Bobcats home opener on Wednesday, February 12. First serve is scheduled for 6:00pm inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.
