Box Score BURNABY,B.C. – Freshman outside hitter Christine Howlett (Delta, BC) smashed home the game-winning shot in the fifth set to lift Simon Fraser University to a thrilling five sets victory over Seattle Pacific University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball game Thursday evening at SFU's West Gym.

The marathon match was tied 14-14 in the fifth set when senior outside hitter Kelsey Robinson (Surrey, BC) sent a spike off two SPU blockers and out of bounds, breaking the deadlock. It gave Simon Fraser a one point advantage. That set the stage for Howlett's winning shot.

Simon Fraser won the match 3-2 (25-17, 19-25, 25-17, 24-26, 16-14).

"Fifth sets reveal character and our team did a great job of showing their character tonight," said head coach Gina Schmidt. "We battled and competed much like we have throughout the season."

The victory improved the Clan's GNAC record to 7-4, 13-6 overall. The Clan sits in fourth place in the conference. The SPU Falcons dropped to 5-7 (11-9 overall).

Simon Fraser led the fifth set 13-9 before SPU came back to tie the score 13-13 and again at 14 apiece. Simon Fraser appeared poised to clinch victory in the fourth set, building a 21-14 lead. But SPU came back to tie the score 23-23 before winning 26-24.

Howlett and Robinson were two of four SFU players who managed double-digit kills, leading a balanced Clan attack. Robinson had 19 kills while Howlett and sophomore Mackenzie Dunham (Lloydminster, AB) had 12 apiece. Senior Amanda Renkema (Delta, BC) recorded 11. Dunham had 12 kills on .435 hitting, while Howlett recorded her 12 kills on .385 hitting.

"I thought we executed our offense consistently from start to finish which gave us separation in the sets," said Schmidt "I also thought we lifted the level of our play defensively and stuck to our plan."

Clan senior setter Brooklyn Gould-Bradbury (Lake Tapps, WA) and junior setter Danielle Curtis (North Vancouver) combined for 61 assists while sophomore Alison McKay (Port Moody, BC) led SFU with 25 digs. Sara Biondi of SPU had a game-high 50 assists and teammate Madi Cavell had 19 kills.

SFU plays Montana State Billings on Saturday, Oct. 25 (7 p.m.) in the West Gym.