THE AGENDA
The OUAZ men's volleyball team will spend the weekend on the road as they have a pair of Golden State Athletic Conference matches on tap. The Spirit play at UC Merced on Friday at 8 p.m. (Arizona) in Atherton, California. They will then face Menlo on Saturday in Atherton, California at 8 p.m. (Arizona).
 
Both matches will be streamed live on the NAIA Network and through the host school's Game Central Portal. Live stats will also be available in the portal. The NAIA Network is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku devices by searching NAIA. Links for all the live coverage is available on OUAZ Live at OUAZSpirit.com/live.
 
ABOUT THE SPIRIT
OUAZ takes the trip at 5-3 overall this season and looking to snap a two-match losing streak. The Spirit are 0-1 in GSAC play to currently sit tied for fourth in the league. They are 0-2 in road matches and 4-2 in all matches played away from home.
 
The Spirit are fourth in the conference with an average of 10.88 kills per set and they are fifth with their .229 hitting percentage. The team leads the GSAC by averaging 1.96 service aces per set.
 
Defensively, OUAZ leads the conference at 9.32 digs per set and in holding opponents to .101 hitting. The Spirit average 1.98 blocks per set to rank third in the league.
 
Jacob Vander Beek leads the team and ranks third in the GSAC at 3.20 kills per set. He has 64 total kills and has eight or more kills in each of the past five matches with two 10-plus kill matches. Vander Beek is 10th in the conference with his .236 hitting percentage.
 
James Yahner averages 2.36 kills per set where he is seventh in the conference. He recorded 13 kills in the championship match of the NCCAA National Tournament. Yahner is 13th in the GSAC in hitting .216.
 
Bryan Ilena is second in the GSAC in hitting percentage at .384. He is averaging 1.77 kills per set with his 0.82 blocks per set placing fifth in the conference.
 
ABOUT UC MERCED
UC Merced enters the week with a 6-4 overall record after alternating wins and losses in their past four matches. The Bobcats are third in the GSAC with their 1-2 conference record and they are receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll. Jose Leon Gomez leads the team at 2.56 kills per set.
 
The two teams split a pair of matches last season with each winning at home. The match at Merced went to the Bobcats in five sets. OUAZ will host Merced at home this season on March 16.
 
ABOUT MENLO
Menlo begins three-match week for them at 4-1 overall and tied with the Spirit at 0-1 in GSAC action. The Oaks are 3-1 at home this season and they are also receiving votes in the NAIA poll. Edin Ibrahimovic leads the GSAC at 4.68 kills per set while Chase Direito hits a conference-best .471.
 
OUAZ swept three matches with Menlo last season, including a 3-0 win in Atherton. The teams will play twice in Surprise last this season with a conference match slated for March 2.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Spirit will be home for their lone match next week when they host crosstown rival Arizona Christian on February 22. The 7 p.m. match will be played at Willow Canyon High School.