Volleyball | 9/16/2010 9:51:39 PM

Box Score [Box score]

BURNABY, B.C. – With its back against the wall, the Western Oregon University volleyball fought back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Simon Fraser 22-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-13 and 15-11 in its first road match of the season, Thursday, Sept. 16.

The win kept the Wolves (5-3, 3-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) perfect in conference play. This was the eighth straight loss for Simon Fraser (0-8, 0-4 GNAC) to begin the season.

Western Oregon had three student-athletes record double-digit kills. Krissi Kemper posted a fantastic .542 hitting percentage with 15 kills and just two errors in 24 attempts. She also had five blocks. Danielle Reese led WOU with 17 kills. Samantha Ward hammered down 10 kills in 20 attempts.

“Ward had the best match of her career and Kemper was just a stud,” explained Western Oregon head coach Brad Saindon. “We got some great performances.”

Megan Triggs paced the Wolves' defensive effort with 20 digs. Jorden Burrows posted a season-high 47 assists and added nine digs.

After falling behind by two sets WOU rallied. It posted a .235 hitting percentage in set three, an incredible .545 (12 kills, no errors) mark in the fourth set and closed it out by hitting .286 in the fifth set. Western Oregon also recorded 34 of its 54 kills in the final three sets.

“I am so happy we came back to win,” said Saindon. “We were shaky in the opening two games but we were a completely different team in sets three, four and five.”

The win sets up a Saturday match up of the top two teams in the conference. The Wolves will be in Bellingham to face the 3-0 (GNAC) Vikings on Saturday (Sept. 18) at 7:00 p.m.