COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- The Western Oregon volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season, falling to UC Colorado Springs 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-18, 28-26) Thursday on the opening day of the Mountain Lion Classic at Gallogly Events Center.

WOU (4-1) - which was off to its best start since 1999 - in the first set trailed 24-21 before a trio of points, capped by a Bella MacLellan kill, tied the first game. But a kill and an ace by the Mountain Lions closed out the first game.

The Wolves bounced back in game two - using a 6-0 run late to take a 24-17 lead and eventually won 25-20 - capped by a MacLellan kill. After dropping the third game, WOU looked primed to take the fourth to force a fifth-and-deciding set with a 24-21 lead, but three straight points by UCCA tied the match. WOU had two more set points (giving them five total), but couldn't convert as three straight Mountain Lion points gave them the 28-26 win and the match.

MacLellan paced the Wolves with 11 kills and six blocks, Laney O'Neil had 21 assists with Kealani Rosa adding 17 and Madison Hornback led the team with 14 digs and three aces.

WOU returns to action 9:15 a.m. (PT) Saturday against Bemidji State before taking on Nebraska Kearney 1:45 p.m. (PT) Saturday. The Wolves close out play at the event 9 a.m. (PT) Saturday against Western Colorado.