Volleyball | 9/3/2010 10:22:01 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - The match got off to a good start for Western Oregon as it captured set one, but that was the last set it would win against No. 2 Cal State San Bernardino in a 23-25, 25-17, 25-21 and 25-14 lost, in the evening session of the Phoenix Inn GNAC Conference Challenge, Friday, Sept. 3.

The lost was the Wolves' (2-1) first of the season. The win lifted the second ranked team in the country to 2-0 on the young season.

For the second straight match Jorden Burrows posted a career-high in assists. This time she had 40 to eclipse her 37 she had in the earlier set. Danielle Reese led the team with 13 kills and Samantha Ward added 10. Sylvia Herrold had a team-best 13 digs to go along with nine kills, as she narrowly missed a double-double.

"I'm not sure if I believe in moral victories, but I was really proud of our team tonight," said head coach Brad Saindon. "The best of all things is playing No. 2 for almost two hours. You can't buy or duplicate that; there is only one way to get it."

In an exciting first set Western Oregon overcame a six point deficit with a 10-1 run and held on for a 25-23 win. WOU trailed 16-10 before scoring 10 of the next 11 points, including eight straight at one point to take control of the match. Burrows assisted on 11 of the Wolves' 15 kills. Beeler and Ward paced the way with four kills each.

Cal State San Bernardino came back to take the second set 25-17 thanks to its advantage in the serves department. The Coyotes registered four aces and had just one error while the Wolves faulted on four serves. Burrows once again posted double digit assists with 11.

Samantha Middleborn had six kills and Camille Smith added 13 assists as the Coyotes were able to capture a third set, which featured 10 ties, 25-21. Reese led WOU with four kills.

In the fourth set, CSUSB used two 5-0 runs to complete the victory.

"They are a very good team that will soon be ranked No. 1," Saindon said. "They are where we want to be and we can catch them and be as good as they are; and they are a very good team."

The Wolves will continue play in the Phoenix Inn GNAC Conference Challenge with two matches tomorrow. They will start with No. 10 Metro State at 1:00 p.m. and finish the tournament with No. 10 UC San Diego at 8:00 p.m.

"We have two great opportunities tomorrow with two top 10 teams in back-to-back matches," Saindon continued. "We want to knock them off after gaining confidence tonight."