Volleyball | 9/1/2012 9:53:00 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Western Oregon volleyball lost its first match of the season 21-25, 17-25, 25-7, 25-20 and 20-18 in the finale of the WOU Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 1.

The Wolves (3-1, 0-0 GNAC) came out flat to begin the match dropping the first two sets in uncharacteristic fashion. After the break WOU came out with renewed enthusiasm and won two sets to push the match to a decisive fifth set.

The fifth set matched the passion and intensity of Thursday's night stunning comeback, but this time the result would not be as favorable. GVSU (3-1, 0-0 GLIAC) went up 7-2 and then 10-7 before the Wolves made their run. WOU would score six of the next eight points to go up 13-12 to take the lead for its first time since scoring the opening point of the set.

The match would then go back and forth with neither team scoring more than two straight points nor holding more than a one point lead. The Lakers finally broke through with three straight points to win the set right after WOU went in front 18-17 following a kill by Samantha Ward.

"I thought we once again showed tremendous fight right to the edge of pulling the match off," Western Oregon head coach Brad Saindon said. "Things could have easily gone the other way."

Ward led Western Oregon with 14 kills. Danielle Reese added a double-double with 12 kills and13 digs. Becky Blees posted a .600hitting percentage with eight kills and just two errors. Megan Triggs had a season-high 28 digs while Jordin Ramos recorded her first career double-double with 17 assists and 10 digs. Krissi Kemper had 3.5 blocks.

Although coach Saindon was not happy with the result of the match he believes it can be a learning opportunity for his team.

"I am disappointed the way we started today," saindon explained. "The challenge now is to find a way to play like we did in sets 3 and 4 with more regularity because the first two sets weren't like us.

"Grand Valley State played great tonight so congratulations to them," Saindon added. 

Western Oregon will now travel to Hawaii to take on a trio of teams from the PacWest Conference. Its match will be Thursday, Sept. 6 against Hawaii Pacific.