Nampa, ID - The Simon Fraser University volleyball team nearly upset nationally ranked Northwest Nazarene University Saturday night, taking the Great Northwest Athletic Conference leaders to five sets in an action-packed match, ultimately falling 3-2.
 

The Clan got off to a slow start in set one, falling 25-9 to the Crusaders, but were able to collect their composure and return the favour in the second set, defeating the home team 25-16. They were unable however to take a lead in the match, as NNU made it a 2-1 match after winning the third set 25-13.
 

Simon Fraser was able to pull out the necessary victory in the fourth set, forcing set five with a score of 25-21 and making the Clan were the first team in the conference schedule to take the Crusaders to a fifth set this season.
 

The match was a showcase of their ability to play with the conference's elite, however SFU was ultimately unable to hang on in the final set, falling 15-10 in the end.

"We knew it would be tough coming into their place on Senior Night," said head coach Gina Schmidt. "The match was a bit of a roller coaster for both teams but our girls fought hard and gave everything they had."
 

The Clan, who fall to an 8-6 record in the GNAC, are currently in fifth position in the conference standings having been passed by Central Washington Thursday night. Simon Fraser will have four more contests before the season's end where they will look to secure their first winning record in GNAC competition since joining the NCAA.
 

Brooklynn Gould-Bradbury (Lake Tapps, WA) had 26 assists on the night, leading the Clan to their impressive performance against the conference leaders, while Kelsey Robinson (Surrey, BC) had 13 kills on the night.
 

Sophomore Devon May (Coquitlam, BC) added 12 kills while Alison McKay (Port Moody, BC) had 24 digs for SFU.
 

The Clan now shift their focus to their final home-stand of the season as they prepare to host Western Oregon and Saint Martin's this Thursday and Saturday, before they travel to Alaska for the final two games of the season.