Volleyball | 9/23/2010 9:42:04 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - The early season trend of losses coming against top 25 opponents continued for the Western Oregon volleyball team, as it fell in three sets to No. 20 Seattle Pacific 25-18, 25-18 and 25-21 on Thursday, Sept. 23.

The win kept the Falcons (11-0, 3-0) undefeated on the season and in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The loss evened the Wolves' record on the year at 5-5 and at 3-2 in conference play.

Danielle Reese recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 11 digs. Becky Blees also added seven kills and just two errors for a .312 hitting percentage. Jorden Burrows had 27 assists and Megan Triggs added 14 digs.

SPU held the edge in the hitting percentage department .250-.067 and also won the blocking battle eight to four.

"First of all, Seattle Pacific is legit; they are very good team and well coached," said Western Oregon head coach Brad Saindon. "They are good on the block and on the dig, so they can force you to hit better and better shots. I thought they played very well tonight so hats off to them."

Seattle Pacific got seven kills from Sarah Risser to win the opening set 25-18. The senior took half of the Falcons' 50 swings in the set. Reese led the Wolves' effort with six kills and Burrows added eight assists.

SPU hit .419 to take the second set by the identical score of 25-18. Lindsey Wodrich and Nikki Lowell each had five kills, and combined for a .600 hitting percentage.

In the third set, Western Oregon outkilled Seattle Pacific 12-10, but it committed 13 errors in the set as the Falcons finished off the sweep.

"I was really happy with the way we played," Saindon explained. "I just thought at really key moments they were a little bit better than we were. They would get a little separation then we could just never climb back in with them.

"The best thing tonight was the crowd; they were terrific," Saindon continued. "So thank you to everyone that came. It was great energy and my kids really appreciated playing in front of that crowd; it was really fun and I hope they come back."

Western Oregon sports fans will have another chance to cheer on the Wolves' volleyball team this Saturday at 7:00 p.m., when WOU takes on Montana State Billings.