Volleyball | 11/6/2010 9:04:07 PM

Box Score [Box score]

LACEY, Wash. - The Western Oregon volleyball team swept past Saint Martin's in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-15, to move into a tie for third place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and keep its hopes for an NCAA berth alive.

The win moved WOU (13-8 overall) into a tie with Alaska Anchorage for third place in the GNAC with an 11-5 record in conference. Both teams are vying to become one of eight teams to qualify for the NCAA West Regional. The two teams will go head-to-head next Saturday (Nov.13) in the final regular season contest for both teams. The loss dropped the Saints to 2-20 on the season and to 1-15 in the GNAC.

The Wolves' defense was the key to the match. It held SMU to a .038 hitting percentage and five of its student-athletes to a .000 mark or below. Meanwhile, Western Oregon had a .228 hitting percentage, with 41 kills and 15 errors.

Jordan Burrows assisted on 25 of the Wolves' 41 kills and also added three kills of her own. Stephanie Beeler and Danielle Reese led Western Oregon with eight kills apiece, while Corynn Kopra and Becky Blees each had seven. Kopra also came through with nine assists. Megan Triggs led the Wolves in digs with 15.

Western Oregon will now prepare for the long journey to Alaska. It will take on Alaska Fairbanks on Thursday (Nov. 11), then square off with Alaska Anchorage on Saturday (Nov. 13).