MONMOUTH, Ore. – A neck-and-neck battle in points between Western Oregon volleyball and Simon Fraser resulted in a 3-1 loss on Saturday evening.
 
As the set scores read 26-24, 25-23, 25-15, and 25-22, it was apparent that the Wolves fought in a closely matched game. However, because of the loss, the Wolves fell to 7-18 overall and 4-12 in GNAC play.
 
Sydney Blankinship and Alisha Bettinson both led the team in kills as they each had 11 for the night. Christie Colasurdo was the leader in digs over every player on the court with 38 digs. This is a season high for Colasurdo.
 
As a team, the Wolves recorded 11 total blocks. They also tallied a massive eight aces for the night with four of them taking place in the first set. Amanda Short contributed three aces, while Maddie Mehciz added two.
 
The back-and-forth scoring started from the beginning in the opening set—the lead was never more than three points. When the end of the game approached, the Wolves had the chance to claim the set, as the score read 24-23, but the final two points went to the Clan (12-12, 8-8 GNAC).
 
Simon Fraser held a slight lead for the entire second game until the Wolves tied it at 21-21. Western Oregon capitalized on the final point opportunity as Blankinship obtained the kill for the set winner. The Wolves had the most significant offensive run in this set as they hit .234 and had a total of 16 kills.
 
In the third set, the Wolves fell behind as they endured more errors and less kills (nine errors and six kills). The Clan took advantage and pulled a larger lead, defeating the Wolves, 25-15.
 
The match flipped in the fourth set as Western Oregon maintained a tight lead throughout the period. While the Wolves were on their way to take the match to the fifth set, Simon Fraser quickly took over by first equalizing the game at 22-22. The Clan proceeded to take the last three points, despite the Wolves' final point rally to stay alive in the game.
 
It was truly a close battle as the Clan slightly outhit the Wolves, .147-.107.
 
The Wolves head to Concordia for a Tuesday game next week and return home to take on Montana State Billings on Saturday.