The Benedictine Men's Volleyball team experienced a setback on Friday night, falling to UC Merced in four sets with scores of 15-25, 23-25, 25-16, and 22-25.

In the first set, the Redhawks remained competitive, with both teams vying for the lead until the 13-16 mark. UC Merced then established a 4-point lead, extending it to 20-13. Despite efforts by BenU, including two powerful kills from Ben Turcinec and Dapre Rogers, Merced went on another 4-point run, sealing the first set.

The second set saw Benedictine taking an early lead with a 4-point run, courtesy of a kill from Dapre and two aces from Tyler McBurney. However, Merced responded with a 7-point run, and although the Redhawks fought back for the lead, Merced closed the set at 23-25, just ahead of BenU.

In the third set, the teams traded points and the lead until the Redhawks embarked on a 7-point run, fueled by multiple kills from Trevor Weinert and four aces from Dapre Rogers. Despite Merced's efforts, Benedictine secured the set with a convincing 25-16 victory.

The fourth set started with Merced opening the game with a 3-point run. While BenU initially stopped them, they stayed four points behind for much of the early set. A turning point occurred when Benedictine claimed the lead with a 7-point run, propelled by kills from Dapre Rogers and Ben Turcinec. However, Merced mounted a comeback with a 5-point run, regaining the momentum and ultimately sealing the set 22-25.

Key Players:
- Dapre Rogers displayed a stellar performance with 14 kills, 6 aces, and 5 digs throughout the night.
- Trevor Weinert contributed 11 kills and 2 aces.
- Tyler McBurney showcased his skills with 8 kills and 2 aces.

Looking ahead, the Redhawks aim for redemption on Saturday, February 24, as they face Pacific Union College at 9 PM MST in California.