LACEY, Wash. – The Western Oregon volleyball opened a GNAC weekend in Washington by winning two of the first three sets at Saint Martin's. Despite the set advantage and 16 match kills from sophomore Alisha Bettinson, the host Saints rallied to take the final two games and the match, 3-2 (25-21, 16-25, 25-23, 22-25, 10-15). With the loss, the Wolves fell to 4-8 overall and 1-2 in league.
 
WOU went to Bettinson early and often in the opening set. She had five kills in Western Oregon's first 15 points to build a five-point lead. The Saints (2-7, 1-2 GNAC) would close within two points late in the set, but WOU got a late ace from junior Christie Colasurdo to snatch the set win.
 
The Saints stormed away with the second set by winning 10 of the final 12 points.
 
The third game started with a 10-2 run for Saint Martin's. However, the momentum swung in Western Oregon's favor as they tied the game at 15-15. The game remained tight until a pair of SMU errors gave WOU enough cushion to win 25-23.
 
WOU looked to be in prime position to close out the match in the fourth game by taking a 14-9 lead. Saint Martin's rallied once again to take a 22-18 lead. Even with a three-point spurt late, the Wolves could not hold off SMU as they forced the deciding set.
 
Back-to-back kills from Sydney Blankinship and Bettinson put the Wolves up 5-4. Unfortunately, that was as close as the Black and Red would get to a win in the final frame, as Saint Martin's reeled off the four of the last five points to take a 15-10 win.
 
Bettinson was the lone WOU player with double figure kills, while Amanda Short had nine kills and Paige Klesey added six. Blankinship and Maddie Mehciz each added five kills each. Christie Colasurdo lead the defense with a season-high 33 digs. Mehciz and Leila Holt split time at setter, racking up 21 and 12 set assists.
 
Western Oregon closes out the road trip on Saturday afternoon with a match at Seattle Pacific beginning at 2 p.m.