Volleyball | 10/24/2009 9:44:26 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Montana State Billings came to Monmouth and handed the Western Oregon volleyball team its first three set home loss in three seasons.

The Yellowjackets' 25-21, 25-23 and 25-20 victory, Saturday (Oct. 24), was their second straight as they moved to 13-10 on the year and 6-5 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. This was the fourth consecutive loss for WOU who fell to 7-15 and 4-7 in conference.

"This was a disappointing loss for my team after a tough week," Western Oregon head coach Brad Saindon said. "Montana State Billings was a tough matchup for us, but it is disappointing to lose at home in three, and that is all on me."

Even in the loss the Wolves received strong individual performances from senior middle blockers Laura Sakala and Lisa Martini. Sakala, the GNAC hitting percentage leader, led the squad with 11 kills. She made efficient use of every swing with just one error in 21 attempts for a .476 kill percentage. Martini, who sits second in the hitting percentage race, notched eight kills on 21 attempts with just one miscue for a .333 hitting percentage.

"Lisa and Laura continue to be good for us and our younger players are getting better," Saindon explained.

The Wolves also received strong efforts from fellow seniors Danielle English and Amy Herron. English led three Wolves in double-figure kills with 21 and Amy Herron paced the team with 30 assists. Freshman Samantha Ward also stepped up, posting nine kills, to finish second on the WOU squad.

MSU Billings pulled out two set wins with late runs. In the first set neither led the match by more than two until the Yellowjackets got four straight points to break a 20-20 tie and go on to the 25-21 set win. The second set was very similar. Both teams exchanged points but neither was able to put together a run until MSU Billings captured seven of 10 points to grab a 22-18 lead. The Wolves would put together a valiant comeback attempt, bringing the set to 24-23 before the Yellowjackets earned the set-clinching point.

"Montana State Billings was good tonight," continued Saindon. "They played steady and did not make many errors."

The Western Oregon volleyball team will host its final two home matches of the 2009 season next week as it takes in the Alaska school begin with Alaska Anchorage, Thursday, Oct. 29th, at 7:00 p.m.