SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's volleyball team fell in three sets (25-15, 25-12, 25-12) to Bemidji State at The Cougar Classic on Friday afternoon. The Bobcats dropped to 1-4 on the year.
Yahaira Vazquez led the Bobcats efforts with seven kills on a .313 success rate.
Morgan Wilson had five kills and a block, while Morgan Kristy turned in three kills on four attempts in her collegiate debut.
Natalie Riley tied her career-high with 13 digs to go along with four kills.
Kyra Miller tallied 19 assists, eight digs, and three blocks. One of her three blocks was solo.
Jazmine Banks registered eleven digs and a service ace, while Kinnedy Miller recorded a solo block. Callie Neufeld pitched in five digs and two kills.
The Bobcats fell behind 4-0 and 9-3 in the first set and were unable to recover. Bemidji State, who hit .440 in the frame, extended its lead to double figures at the 21-11 mark on its way to the 25-15 win.
The second set started better for the Bobcats and UC Merced was within a point at 10-9, but Bemidji State controlled the set from then on with a 15-3 set-ending run. Vazquez was the Bobcats highlight of the frame with four kills.
UC Merced's only lead in the third set was 1-0 after a Kyra Miller kill. The Beavers kept their momentum from the previous two sets and created early separation, going up seven points at 10-3 and ten points at 18-8 to finish off the sweep.
The Bobcats will return to action for the final day of The Cougar Classic on Saturday, September 5 against Saint Michael's (11:00am) and the host Cal State San Marcos (5:00pm) at The Sports Center.
