LAKE WALES, Fla. - In dominating fashion, the 2015 Warner University men's volleyball team opened the season with a 3-0 sweep over University of California-Merced on Thursday night in the Turner Athletic Center.  The Royals open the year 1-0 for the first time since 2013 while the Bobcats drop to 0-3 in their second season of competition.

The Royals made a statement winning the first set 25-12 to take a 1-0 lead in the match.  Offensively, the Royals posted a .407 hitting percentage as a team and got three kills each from Robert Prinz and Joshua Jordan.

The Bobcats found some offense in the second set but the Royals' hot hitting continued to the tune of a .312 hitting percentage and 25-23 win.  Jordan added five kills to his match total.  Martin Krueger had 12 assists.

In the third and final set, the Royals held a 23-18 lead before the Bobcats reeled off four straight points forcing a timeout by new head coach Steve Benson.  Jordan tallied his final kill of the night to force match point and the Bobcats served it into the net two possessions later to give the Royals the set and the match.

Joshua Jordan led the Royals with 12 kills and a .478 hitting percentage.  As a team the Royals combined for a .323 hitting percentage.  Senior Robert Prinz followed Jordan with 10 kills.  Steven Vaughn had eight kills in the season opener as well.

Martin Krueger paced the offense with 35 assists on the night and added two kills and six digs.  Libero Hui Ding led the back row effort with nine digs as well.

The Royals return to the court tomorrow night, Jan. 16, in a rematch with the Bobcats at 7 p.m.  Fans can follow all the action live by clicking here.