BURNABY, BC – The Simon Fraser University women's volleyball team took on the Central Washington University Wildcats for the second time this season and the result was the same -- the Wildcats defeated the Clan in five sets (25-21, 16-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-12).
 
This loss nearly mirrored the match played between the two teams in Ellensburg, WA earlier this season.
 
The loss dropped the Clan to 5-6 in the GNAC, while CWU now has a 9-2 conference record.  
 
"I thought we put out a good effort tonight. Central had a great night blocking and that was the difference in the end," said Clan head coach Gina Schmidt.
 
The Clan started out their back and forth battle with the Wildcats fighting hard in the first set. With a consistently tied score throughout the game, attackers Emma Jennings and Christine Howlett led the match alongside Central hitters Linden Firethorn, Kaitlin Quirk and Madison Weg all with 3 kills each. Despite Similar kill stats and equal digs, CWU was able to out block the Clan by 12 to 3, which put them at the top and sealed the set 25-21.
 
Momentum changed in the second set when the Clan offense turned up the heat. In her first full match back after being out with an injury, junior Devon May led the set with 7 kills followed closely by Howlett with 6. This attacking efficiency was only made possible by senior setter Daniel Curtis' 22 assists and 8 digs. SFU took a strong 18-11 lead and didn't give up until they won the set 25-16.
 
Sets number 3 and 4 continued to be a back and forth struggle between both teams. Set No. 3 finished in favor of the Wildcats, 25-22, with 4 kills by CWU's Kiah Jones and 5 by SFU's Emma Jennings. The Clan's defense dominated their 4th set victory (25-20) thanks to 16 digs by Devon May followed by Alison McKay and Curtis with 15 and 13, respectively.
 
With neither team letting go for an easy 5th set win, the Clan and Wildcats fought point-for-point until the very end. Despite SFU's 8-7 lead in the middle of the game, the CWU block was able to put a stop to the Clan's offense, therefore taking the set and the match, 15-12.
 
Libero Alison McKay led the Clan overall in digs with 21 followed by Devon May who contributed 20 as well as 15 kills. Jennings also put away 15 swings for SFU thanks to a total of 52 assist by Danielle Curtis.
 
SFU takes on Northwest Nazarene this Saturday at 7 PM in the West Gym.
 
-- @SFUClan --