By: Tim Gooszen

Glendale, Ariz.- On Saturday, Arizona Christian started their 2026 season and the Caden Toben coaching era with an exciting five set thrilling win over NCAA Division II UC Merced.  Sophomore Connor Monahan set an ACU match record with 30 kills while hitting nearly .400.

Match Info

• Match score: Arizona Christian - 3, UC Merced - 2
  • Set 1: ACU 25-17
  • Set 2: UCM 27-25
  • Set 3: ACU 25-20
  • Set 4: UCM 29-27
  • Set 5: ACU 15-11
• Records: Arizona Christian- 1-0, 0-0 GSAC, UC Merced - 2-2
• Location: Firestorm Recreation Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Stats

• Monahan - 30 kills, 12 digs, hit. 397
• Jarrett Spartz - 9 kills, 10 digs
• Caleb Merlino - 7 kills
• Josiah Flores - 46 assists
• Jeremy Simon - 19 digs

Inside the Box Score

• UC Merced served an error and accounted for a block for a 1-1 tie to start
• The teams exchanged kills before Spartz gave ACU the lead with a kill
• ACU did not give up the lead and had only two errors in the set
• Set two saw the Firestorm down all the way to 15-13
• A 5-0 run gave ACU the lead and started a barrage of ties and lead changes
• Despite ultimately dropping the set, Monahan delivered nine kills
• The third set opened with ACU in front and aside from two ties the Firestorm stayed ahead
• Set four was back and forth all way until ACU reached match point
• But the Bobcats rallied and earned the win
• The final set saw Arizona Christian up 4-2 before UC Merced claimed leads at 6-5 and 7-6
• Merlino broke an 8-8 tie with a kill and ACU remained ahead for the victory
• The difference in the match was 21 attack errors for ACU versus 35 for UCM
• Monahan broke the previous ACU match record of 28 kills set twice in 2023

Thoughts from Coach Toben
"Tonight was a fun battle! First win of the season and we definitely worked for it. Proud of everyone on the team and their contributions. Go Firestorm!"


Up Next
Next week, Arizona Christian will travel to Iowa for four matches with two on Friday and two Saturday.