MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon volleyball team found themselves facing tough competition on the second day of their own Invitational at the New P.E. Building. In two matches on Friday, the Wolves fell to Chico State, 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 18-25, 10-25) and Wisconsin-Parkside, 3-2 (25-20, 17-25, 25-19, 20-25, 8-15). With the pair of losses, Western Oregon drops to 2-5 overall.
 
MATCH 1 – WOU vs. Chico State
The Wolves and Wildcats jousted back and forth early in the opening set. Chico State, undefeated at 7-0 entering play after a five-set win over Notre Dame de Namur earlier in the day, used a four-point spurt to break a 10-10 tie. Chico State would sprint to the finish winning six of the final seven points in game one.
 
In game two, Chico State grasped the early lead, but this time it was WOU who had the closing bursts of energy. A pair of three-point strings at 17-17 and 22-22 allowed the hosts to equalize the match.
 
The Wildcats bested a highly offensive game three, outhitting the Wolves .344 to .235 in the set. Mistakes cost WOU in the fourth game. A match-high 9 miscues dropped the team's hitting percentage into negative numbers, allowing Chico State to win the match in four.
 
Mariella Vandenkooy paced the offence with 10 kills, while Amanda Short chipped in seven and Kelsey Paige added six. Leila Holt facilitated the WOU hitters with 20 assists, while Christie Colasurdo had 19 digs and Sheila Limas De La Cruz chipped in 18.
 
MATCH 2 – WOU vs. Wisconsin-Parkside
Western Oregon was on the right track in rebounding after Friday's loss to Chico State by taking a 2-1 set lead over the Rangers. Beginning in game four, Wisconsin-Parkside found another offensive gear while holding the Wolves to nine kills in game four and only two rally-ending plays in the deciding fifth set.
 
Short led WOU in the night match, this time with 14 kills, while Alisha Bettinson had eight. Holt (24) and Maddie Mehciz combined for 36 assists. Colasurdo notched a season-best 30 digs to pace the WOU defense.