SEATTLE – Opening a weekend in Washington, the Western Oregon volleyball team could not contain the offense of host Seattle Pacific, losing in three sets (22-25, 17-25, 19-25) to the Falcons. The loss dropped the Wolves to 4-6 overall and 1-2 in the conference, while SPU improves to 5-6 and 1-2 in the GNAC.
 
The first set was tight throughout as the Wolves led 20-18 after a bad set and SPU serving error. But, the Falcons scored four straight points forcing WOU into a timeout trailing, 22-20. Amanda Short had consecutive kills to make the score 24-22 before a serving error handed the first game to Seattle Pacific, 25-22. Both teams hit well in the opening set with SPU holding a .342 to .289 advantage.
 
After a 3-all beginning to set two, the hosts scored three straight and extended the lead to 15-10. Western Oregon clawed back into the game, pulling within three points at 18-15 on a Sydney Blankinship kill, but the Falcons would take advantage of back-to-back errors and pulled out a 25-17 game two victory. The Wolves had only 11 kills in the set and hit .122 being forced into six errors.
 
Seattle Pacific opened a 12-5 lead in the third set before the Wolves started getting kills in a flurry from Alisha Bettinson. WOU got within two points of the Falcons multiple times and got to 16-15 before a 6-0 SPU run essentially wrapped up any final comeback effort. A late kill from Mackenzie Bowen sliced the lead to four, 23-19, before the Falcons posted the final two points to earn the league sweep.
 
Bettinson led the Wolves attack with 10 kills and 12 digs for her sixth double-double of the season (second consecutively). Mariella Vandenkooy added seven kills while Short and Blankinship each added five. Christie Colasurdo posted 10 digs and Maddie Mehciz had 21 assists.
 
WOU was outhit for the match .327 to .170 while the digs battle played to an even 44-44.
 
Western Oregon returns to the court on Saturday, Sept. 24 when they head to Lacey, Wash., to face Saint Martin's for a 7 p.m. meeting.