PORTLAND, OR - The SFU Clan women's volleyball team (12-2, 5-1) continued their winning ways in Oregon on Saturday, as they took down the Concordia (Oregon) Cavaliers (7-7, 3-3) in a solid 3-1 triumph.

The Clan attack was powered by outside hitters Christine Howlett and Devon May, who knocked down 17 kills apiece. A two-way threat, May also finished second on the team with 13 digs. Senior setter Tamara Nipp had another great all-around game, finishing with six kills, 55 assists, three blocks, 10 digs, and an ace.

"Today's game was a back and forth battle," said SFU head coach Gina Schmidt. "Concordia has been playing some very good volleyball the past few weeks - they have some potent hitters and a well rounded offence. We did a good job of keeping pace with them offensively. Christine, in particular, gave them a lot of trouble on the right side."

After dropping the first set 25-23, the Clan found themselves in a precarious position in the second stanza. Down 16-12, SFU suddenly flipped the switch. A brilliant 6-0 run put the Clan up 18-16, as Howlett and May combined for five kills, while Alison McKay dropped an ace. Still, the two sides went back-and-forth, as the Cavaliers pushed ahead 24-23.

Then, Howlett and May came up big again, getting three kills in the game's next four points, allowing SFU to take the set 27-25 on a Concordia attacking error.

The third set was decided late – tied 18-18, the Clan took control and ended the frame on a 7-2 run. Howlett was again at the forefront, with three kills in that stretch.

In the fourth frame, SFU found themselves down 14-8 midway through. Then, the Clan again flashed their ability to score in bunches, putting up a 9-3 run to even it up at 17-17. Instead of Howlett, that run was engineered by three May kills and some excellent defensive coverage forcing the Cavaliers into mistakes on offense.

Even up at 22 apiece, the Clan ended things on a 3-1 burst, getting one last kill each from Howlett and May to seal the result.

The Clan will get nearly a week to rest, as they'll next face the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders (10-2, 3-2) on Friday, October 6. Back at home in West Gym, the Clan and Crusaders will square off at 7:00 pm.