'Birds Welcome CCAA Play with 3-1 Victory Over Bobcats

Box Score

Fresno Pacific F-30147 9-0,1-0 CCAA

UC Merced F-30266 3-5,0-1 CCAA

Fresno Pacific F-30147

9-0,1-0 CCAA

Final

Sep. 12, 2026

UC Merced F-30266

3-5,0-1 CCAA

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Fresno Pacific F-30147	22	25	25	25	(3)
UC Merced F-30266	25	20	13	20	(1)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | 9/12/2026 8:48:00 PM

First-ever CCAA Conference Match for FPU

Next Match:

Cal State San Bernardino

9/18/2026 | 7:00 p.m.

Next Match

Full Schedule

Sep. 18 (Fri) / 7:00 p.m.

Cal State San Bernardino

History

Roster

MERCED, Calif. - Taking a trip up the 99, No. 5 Fresno Pacific volleyball battled back from a 25-22 opening-set loss to defeat UC Merced 3-1 on Saturday, taking the final three sets 25-20, 25-13 and 25-20 to remain unbeaten at 9-0 overall and 1-0 in CCAA play.

The Sunbirds moved ahead 4-1 in the opening set after back-to-back Rylee Pitney kills from Mikayla Weiss and a UC Merced setting error. Madelyn Feramisco had three kills during the next stretch, and the Sunbirds later used an Itzel Aguayo kill, a Weiss service ace and an Addisen Hamilton kill to build a 13-6 lead. UC Merced cut the gap to 13-11 with five straight points and eventually tied the set at 15-15, 18-18, 19-19 and 20-20 as the Sunbirds continued to answer with kills from Hamilton, Morgan Castaneda and Weiss into the late stages. A Kyra Miller kill put the home team ahead 21-20, and a Sunbirds attack error made it 22-20. The Sunbirds pulled within 23-22 on Hamilton's kill, but UC Merced closed the set on a kill and another Sunbirds attack error for a 25-22 win.

Fresno Pacific responded in the second set, overcoming another tight start to take control late. Makayla Smith delivered several key kills, while a Julia Nicolet ace and late Smith service ace helped the 'Birds secure a 25-20 win and even the match. The third set belonged to Fresno Pacific. After taking a 12-9 lead, a block from Lola Highstreet and Smith sparked an 8-0 run, highlighted by four Weiss service aces and kills from Amanda Lauer. Weiss served seven consecutive points during the stretch as the 'Birds opened a 20-9 advantage and cruised to a 25-13 victory.

FPU carried that momentum into the fourth, building an early 3-0 lead before UC Merced fought back to tie the set at 5-5. The 'Birds created separation behind kills from Weiss and Feramisco, a Rachel Plantinga ace and several blocks, eventually taking a 23-17 lead. Smith reached set point with a kill before Feramisco closed out the comeback with a kill from Weiss, sealing the 25-20 win.

Smith led the offense with 13 kills, three aces and 17 points, while Weiss finished with 43 assists, five aces, nine digs and two blocks. Devyn Castaneda anchored the defense with a team-high 19 digs, and middle blocker Highstreet added six blocks and five kills. The Blue and Orange advance to 9-0 overall and 1-0 in CCAA play. The 'Birds are one of two remaining undefeated teams in the conference and one of three CCAA programs currently nationally ranked.

CLICK HERE to view the CCAA standings and leaderboard.

NEXT UP: No. 5 Fresno Pacific faces No. 14 Cal State San Bernardino, who also enters the matchup undefeated at 9-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play. The 'Birds and Coyotes will square off on Friday, September 18 at 7pm in what promises to be an exciting early-season CCAA showdown!

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