SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ men's volleyball team secured a five-set win over UC Merced on Saturday night at Willow Canyon High School to get back to even in Golden State Athletic Conference action.
 
By earning the 25-23, 19-25, 25-17, 24-26, 15-13 victory, OUAZ extended its school record winning streak to seven straight matches. The Spirit are now 13-6 overall and third in the GSAC with a 4-4 record.
 
It took a school record 24 kills from Jacob Smith to secure the victory. Smith hit .475 in the match to go for 20-plus kills in a match for the second time this season. He also added nine digs.
 
OUAZ held a 67-62 edge in total kills and they hit .305 compared to the .284 from UC Merced. The Spirit also had a 6-4 edge in service aces to go with 54 digs and eight blocks.
 
James Yahner added 12 kills and 13 digs while Bryan Ilena had 10 kills. Colin Donisthorpe had five blocks and Joaquin Santa Cruz posted 19 digs. Andrew de'Leon finished with a season-high 58 assists.
 
The Spirit will put their winning streak on the line on Wednesday when they host No. 3 Benedictine Mesa at 7 p.m. at Willow Canyon High School.