Volleyball | 9/17/2011 10:07:00 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. – In a showdown of the top two teams in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the Western Oregon volleyball team could not hold off a furious comeback by Western Washington as they fell in five sets, 23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20 and 15-8.

The Wolves (4-4, 3-1 GNAC) took the first two sets of the match before the Vikings (6-2, 4-0 GNAC) came back to take all three after the break. The loss snaps a four match winning streak for Western Oregon.

Western Oregon looked strong in the first two sets as it posted a combined 32 kills and just 10 errors for a .227 hitting percentage. They also held WWU to a .056 hitting mark in the second set to take the two set lead.

Western Washington then came back behind the combination of Marlanya Geary and Emily Jepsen. Geary had 24 kills and just four errors, while also adding 30 digs. Jepsen posted 13 kills and a .276 hitting percentage.

“Obviously we are really disappointed in the outcome of that match, but I really do feel we could have won that match,” explained Western Oregon head coach Brad Saindon. “But I knew Western Washington were champions. They have won this conference a number of times and they were going to let (the loss) happen. They were going to fight hard like champions do, and that is exactly what they did.”

Samantha Ward had a season-high 16 kills for the Wolves. She made just two errors in 34 attempts to post a .412 hitting percentage. LesLyne Satele recorded 53 assists, three short of her season-best.

“Down the stretch they were way better than us,” Saindon continued. “We were nervous and out of sorts and I can't teach that, it is something we have to go through. We just aren't comfortable in that situation yet and I hope we learn something from this. We have to go back to work on Monday because there are no breaks in this conference.”

The Wolves will travel to Seattle on Thursday to face defending GNAC champions, Seattle Pacific at 7:30 p.m.