By: By Jade Richardson - Sports Information Coordinator (jader@sfu.ca)
Box Score Burnaby, BC - The Simon Fraser University volleyball team fell to No. 9 Western Washington on Saturday night.
Nonetheless, the Clan turned in a strong performance against their nationally ranked opponents, taking the second set by a comanding 25-16.
In set one, the Clan were caught off-guard by WWU as the visitors took an early lead 11-6, but the Clan regrouped, bringing the score to 15-13 and forcing the visitors to take their first timeout of the game.
From there, SFU continued to press, forcing a tie at 18-18 as the teams began to trade points into the latter half of the set.
At the 25-25 mark the Vikings took advantage, then quickly put home the 27-25 point to win the set.
In the second, the Clan returned with determination, this time springing the early lead on the visitors.
SFU took the lead 11-6, before extending to 15-9, 20-13 and finally 25-16 to tie the game up.
Mackenzie Dunham (Lloydminster, AB) and
Madeline Hait (Burnaby, BC) came on strong for the Clan in the set, earning points on both offence and defence and giving the Clan momentum to take the set.
Set three started as tight as set one ended, both teams trading points to the 13-13 mark.
It was here however that the Vikings were able to pull away, as several attacking errors by the home team put the visitors in striking position.
WWU would take set three 25-18 and set four 25-15, closing with a victory.
The Clan turned in a determined performance against a top-10 program, managing to take a set in the process.
With the loss the Clan fall to 6-4 ion Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, and 12-7 overall.
SFU is back in action Thursday as they host the Seattle Pacific Falcons at 7:00 p.m. in the West Gymnasium.
Admission is free for SFU students.
