Box Score MERCED, CA (4-13) -- The UC Santa Cruz men's volleyball team visited UC Merced for their last match of the regular season, and won 3-1 (25-12, 19-25, 25-17, 25-19).

The first set started with the Bobcats getting the first point. From kills by Ethan Makishima, Leo Tuncer, Nico Espinoza, and Riley Norman, the Banana Slugs secured the biggest lead making the score 23-11. It was a fast set which ended with a service ace from Noy Fisher making the score 25-12

In the second set, the Bobcats gained the lead from kills and attack errors from the Banana Slugs (7-1). Although the Banana Slugs came back with outstanding kills from Evan Erickson and Makishima, the set ended with the Bobcats winning from a kill making the score 25-19. 

The Bobcats gained a 4-1 lead to start the third set and led 12-5 until Espinoza, Fisher, Makishima, and Norman came in with kills, while also blocking the Bobcats to tie up the match (12-12). The Banana Slugs gained back their momentum and caused the Bobcats to make many mistakes and increasing the lead 17-12. The third set ended with a kill by Kyle Ownbey making the score 25-17.

The fourth set started with a kill by Norman (1-0), but the Bobcats responded with a kill (1-1). With the set tied 11-all, back-to-back Bobcat attack errors helped the Banana Slugs secure the lead 13-11. The Banana Slugs went on a run and closed the fourth set from back-to-back kills from Norman, mistakes on the Bobcats, and a service ace from Espinoza making the score 25-19. 

Norman had a team-high 19 kills on 31 attacks while also having two digs and one ace. Jalen Suwa led the defense with 13 digs, setting the school record for digs in a season with 295. Makishima had seven total blocks. Pak had the most assists with 13, and Espinoza had a team-high six service aces.
 Overall, UC Santa Cruz outhit the Bobcats .269 to .144 in the match.
UC Santa Cruz is now 17-10 and will find out Monday if they go to the NCAA Division III Tournament.