THOUSAND OAKS, CA – The St. John Fisher University men's volleyball team are in California for the Cal-Lu-Fornia Classic, hosted by Cal-Lutheran. The no. 7 ranked Cardinals began their portion of the competition on Thursday with match against no. 18 ranked University of California – Santa Cruz. Fisher handled their business, sweeping them 3-0.
 
In the first set, Fisher jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage, but the Slugs showed their toughness by tying the set at 9-9 and even reclaiming a lead at 11-10. Kills by Jake Baker, Gabe La Robardiere and Casey Jackson kept the Cardinals in front by one throughout the set. With Santa Cruz holding a 25-24 lead, three straight points by Fisher helped take the first set, 27-25.
 
The following frame saw the Cardinals take control early by way of a 9-5 lead. They maintained their pressure and a four point lead doubled to an eight point lead at 16-8. The two teams proceeded to trade scores, but a kill by Gavin Newman secured the second set victory and 2-0 lead. In the third set, it was the Slugs that put the pressure on Fisher, not going away easily. They held and 7-6 advantage and matched the Cardinal scoring to either stay even or within one. However, back-to-back kills by Ian Rauh and Baker kicked off a series of runs that put Fisher in front 20-15. Despite a late push by Santa Cruz, Rauh recorded a kill to end the set and the match.
 
Baker finished with 11 kills, seven digs and a block assist to lead the team with 12.5 points. Rauh recorded seven kills to go along with six total blocks (one solo, five assists). Griffin Stella was active with six kills, three solo blocks and three digs.
 
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