The University of California, Merced women’s volleyball team lost 3-1 to No. 5 Fresno Pacific in their California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener on September 12, 2026, at Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium in Merced, California.
UC Merced won the first set 25-22, with Natalie Riley igniting the Bobcats by recording six kills. Riley finished with a career-high 18 kills and a service ace. Despite the strong start, Fresno Pacific rallied to take the next three sets 25-20, 25-13, and 25-20 to capture the match.
Freshman Callie Neufeld recorded her second consecutive double-double with 12 kills and 15 digs, hitting .370 while adding an ace and her first career solo block. Kyra Miller led the offense with 43 assists, six digs, four blocks and three kills, achieving a season-best .224 hitting percentage. Jazmine Banks extended her season-opening streak to eight matches with double-digit digs, totaling 16 digs in the match.
Contributions also came from Yahaira Vazquez with nine kills and seven digs, and Morgan Wilson with six kills and two blocks. Fresno Pacific’s Mikayla Weiss made a significant impact in the third set by delivering four service aces during an eight-point run to help the Sunbirds dominate the set and take control of the match.
This marked UC Merced’s first ever contest against a NCAA Division II Top 10 opponent. Fresno Pacific improved to 9-0 overall and earned its first CCAA win after joining the conference from the PacWest.
The Bobcats are scheduled to host Cal State San Marcos on September 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.
CSB Take
Competing against a top-five nationally ranked opponent, the California Merced Bobcats demonstrated encouraging competitiveness, particularly in their opening set victory. Natalie Riley’s career-best 18 kills and the strong performances by multiple players highlight promising development within the program. This challenging matchup provides valuable experience as UC Merced continues its adjustment in the CCAA. The upcoming home game against Cal State San Marcos offers an immediate opportunity to build on these lessons and pursue their first conference victory.
Source: Original report
