Volleyball | 9/18/2010 9:19:37 PM

Box Score [Box score]

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Western Oregon University volleyball team's losses all have something in common; they have all come against the nation's top 25 teams. Saturday's three set loss to No. 18 Western Washington continued that trend.

The Wolves fell 25-22, 25-22 and 25-20 to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason co-favorites, as the Vikings took a one game lead in the standings. The loss puts WOU at 5-4 on the season and 3-1 in the conference. WWU improved to 7-1 and 4-0 in the GNAC with the win.

Krissi Kemper led the Wolves with 12 kills in 23 attempts. She had just two errors to post a .435 hitting percentage. She has now posted 27 kills and just four errors in 47 attempts over her last two matches. The Wolves also received double-digit kills from Danielle Reese, who recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 10 digs.

Jorden Burrows had 34 assists and Megan Triggs posted 12 digs to lead the Wolves in those categories. Kemper also led the team with four blocks.

Western Oregon opened the match by dropping the first two sets by a combined six points. But despite the losses coach Brad Saindon had very positive words about his team.

"These were the best two games back-to-back we have played this year," he said. "All in all, I am happy with the way we played.

"It can be tough to get wins in this conference, especially on the road," Saindon continued. "We are already looking forward to another chance to play them this year."

The Wolves will now come back home to face another top 25 team, No. 20 Seattle Pacific, on Thursday (Sept. 23) at 7:00 p.m.