Volleyball | 10/13/2011 9:46:00 PM
Box Score [Box score]
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Oregon and Western Washington once again put together an epic battle on the volleyball court, but again it was the Vikings who prevailed in five sets, 25-19, 23-25, 12-25, 25-17 and 15-12 on Thursday (Oct. 13).
After the teams split the opening sets, Western Oregon (7-7, 6-4 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) came out with a vengeance right after the break. WOU hit .351 while holding WWU to a .000 hitting percentage to take the third set in a convincing 25-12 fashion. But the Vikings (10-4, 8-2 GNAC) answered back in the fourth set. They jumped out to a 3-0 advantage and never gave up the lead en route to tying the match at two sets each, and forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the fifth set, both teams went back and forth before the Wolves'
Corynn Kopra scored two straight to put WOU in front 9-7. It was then the Vikings' turn to make a run. They scored six of the next seven points to take control of the set, and eventually closed the match with a 15-12 win in fifth set.
"This was a very competitive match between two very good teams," Western Oregon head coach
Brad Saindon said. "We had our opportunities but let things get away from us. I'm disappointed we didn't get the win, but I am proud of the way we played."
Danielle Reese had a career performance with 25 kills and 18 digs. Those 25 kills topped her previous career-high of 23 kills set earlier in the season in the win at Alaska Anchorage. The Wolves also got 13 kills and a .314 hitting percentage from
Krissi Kemper.
Becky Blees led WOU with a .462 hitting percentage and
Megan Triggs with 19 digs.
LesLyne Satele turned in 54 assists, two short of a career-high, and helped lead a Western Oregon offense which outhit the Vikings .225 to .207.
In each set the hitting percentage leader won the set. The loss breaks a three-match winning streak for Western Oregon.
The Wolves next match will be across the border when they take on Simon Fraser Saturday (Oct. 15) night at 7:00 p.m.
