BURNABY, BC – The Simon Fraser University women's volleyball defeated the St. Martin's University Saints tonight in their home gym in three sets to remain undefeated in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
The victory over the Saints gives SFU a 2-0 conference record and a two game sweep in the first weekend of GNAC conference play. Thursday, SFU knock-off Seattle Pacific 3-2.
The Clan started slowly against the Saints, playing point for point and allowing Saints' attackers Julia Wabinga and Kyra Davidson to score six and three kills, respectively. SFU pulled through with the help of middle blocker
Madison Power's two big blocks to take the set 25-23.
The second set was an even tougher battle for the Clan while SMU right side hitter Nicolette Nesbitt matched SFU's top scorers
Christine Howlett,
Tessa May and
Emma Jennings with five kills each. Both team's liberos, Cassandra Fenton and
Alison McKay, tied the set with 10 digs each, keeping each side alive until a tie at 24-24. From that point on the Clan took control for a back-and-fourth finish with a final victory score of 28-26.
Carrying the second set's hard work and momentum into the third game, the Clan was dominant right from the start. With freshman
Tessa May and Power contributing another three and two blocks, respectively, the team wasted little time putting away the Saints, taking the set 25-14.
Junior outside hitter
Devon May led the team once again with 12 kills followed by Howlett with seven and Jennings with six. McKay kept the team alive in the back row with 17 digs followed by 10 from outside hitter
Jessica Young.
"We did a good job of staying steady tonight. St. Martin's is a gritty team, and they made us earn every point," said Clan head coach
Gina Schmidt. "It wasn't easy playing three games in three nights but we did a nice job of focusing from start to finish."
SFU played a scrimmage against Trinity Western University Friday evening.
The Clan will spend the next two weekends on the road facing Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington University followed by Western Washington and Montana State Billings.
The Clan's next home game is Oct. 8 against Western Oregon in the West Gym beginning at 7:00 PM.
