Burnaby, BC – After strong start, the Simon Fraser University Clan volleyball team was forced to battle through five sets with Western Oregon Thursday night, emerging victorious after a marathon match.

Senior Madeline Hait (Burnaby, BC), playing in her second-to-last home game with the Clan fired home a set from fellow senior Brooklynn Gould-Bradbury (Lake Tapps, WA) to clinch the 3-2 victory for Simon Fraser.

The Clan, who have just three games remaining in the 2014 season, were the team to beat, but the Wolves were undaunted, battling on every ball to force the fifth set.

"Western Oregon made some adjustments coming into the game," said head coach Gina Schmidt. "They came to play and made it a very competitive match."

The Clan took a two-set lead following wins of 25-22 and 26-24, but the Western Oregon began to pour on the pressure, winning the third and fourth sets 25-22 and 25-20 to force the fifth and deciding game.

In all five sets both teams struggled to secure a prominent lead, as both sides traded points through much of the lengthy match.

The Clan's Mackenzie Dunham was sidelined in the match, forcing freshman Madison Power to step up for Simon Fraser and contribute four kills to the Clan's campaign.

"With Mackenzie out tonight we did rely on Madison to fill her role, which she did an excellent job of in her first appearance at right side," Schmidt explained.

Not missing the match, however, was senior Kelsey Robinson (Surrey, BC) who was in for a game-high 20 kills on the night while also recording 16 digs.

Three more Clan athletes earned double-digits in kills as Hait put home 14, Amanda Renkema (Surrey, BC) had 11, and Devon May (Coquitlam, BC) had 12.

The Clan had ten kills on eleven attempts in the final set as Simon Fraser was able to regain composure in the deciding game, improving their record to 15-8 overall and 9-6 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

"Heading into the fifth set I joked with the girls that 'they must really want to spend as much time as possible with the seniors'," said Schmidt. "But I also told them to enjoy these final moments together as this team, and they did just that, pulling off the victory."
 

As the season winds down the Clan will host one final home game in Burnaby's West Gymnasium, this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. The game will also feature a ceremony honouring the team's four graduating seniors. 
 

To help honour their careers, tune into The Journey, a video feature series highlighting the four young women. Tonight learn about Madeline Hait, and help Simon Fraser celebrate her time on Burnaby Mountain: http://youtu.be/jAvvDMXfbLY?list=PL3LkClzaIQYXQJmqcBvp4YqwCo36GRZgR