ROCKLIN, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's volleyball team dropped its nonconference finale 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-21) to Jessup on Tuesday night inside Warrior Arena.
Kylah Guzman led the Bobcats (1-8) with a career-high nine kills and also recorded a block.
Kyra Miller finished with 12 assists and ten digs for her third double-double of the season. She added six kills on the pin.
Sera Riley was good for six kills, seven digs, and two service aces.
Semiramis Tanasescu added five kills without an error on ten swings and two blocks.
Ellie Gordon had 12 assists and seven digs. Ayana Ruffin notched a solo block.
Jessup came out hot tallying 17 kills on a .313 hitting percentage in the opening set to make things tough on the Bobcats. The Bobcats trailed 12-6 before working their way back and pulled within two points at 19-17 highlighted by a couple Riley kills. UC Merced also trailed by two at 20-18 but couldn't complete the comeback and fell 25-20.
UC Merced and Jessup went point-for-point to start the second set with Guzman providing the Bobcats offense. The score was 13-12 midway through period, but Jessup created some separation with a 4-1 mini-run. Jessup worked its lead up to five points at 22-17. Back-to-back kills from Guzman and Yahaira Vazquez provided hope for the Bobcats coming within three, but Jessup matched the Bobcats with two kills of their own and then delivered a service ace to capture set point.
Head coach Ai Prachumsri's team overcame an 11-7 deficit in set three to tie the score 14-14 on a Taylor Crayne service ace. Tied 16-16 shortly after, Jessup worked to put the finishing touches on the match with a 6-0 run. The Bobcats had plenty of fight left and used a solid service run from Riley to score four points in a row, with the help of two aces, to get within two points at 22-20. Despite the battle, UC Merced fell 25-21 in the third set.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will host Cal State San Bernardino in the CCAA opener and the FloCollege/CCAA Game of the Week on Thursday, September 18. First serve from the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium is scheduled for 5:00pm.
