BURNABY, B.C. – Simon Fraser concluded its season-opening weekend with a doubleheader split Saturday at the Western Washington Volleyball Invitational in Bellingham.

The SFU began the day against California State Los Angeles, which won in five sets by scores of 21-25, 25-9, 25-12, 22-25, and 15-8. Canada's NCAA team rebounded in its tournament finale, dropping Regis (Colo.) in four sets (25-23, 23-25, 26-24, and 25-16).

Sophomore opposite Brooke Dexter paced SFU's offence against Regis with 14 kills, while outside hitters Jocelyn Sherman – a sophomore – and junior Camryn Vosloh posted 10 kills each. Junior middle Kalyn Hartmann had a solo block and seven block assists, freshman Eva Person had 24 set assists, and freshman libero Ava Khademi had a team-best 17 digs in her second career SFU appearance.
 
Sherman had three kills and a block assist to help SFU start the game on a 6-1 run. The Rangers rallied to tie the score at 16-16, and then lead 21-19. Sophomore outside hitter Sophie Lachapelle knocked down a kill to make it 21-20. SFU later won three points on her serve – including an ace – to jump back in front 24-22. The team eventually won on a service error.

Regis held off an SFU comeback to win the second set. In the third, SFU led 23-21, fell behind 24-23, and then won the set with its own three-point streak, which was capped by a Lachapelle kill.

SFU took control early in the fourth set, building leads of 8-2, 12-4, and 18-7, getting multiple kills from Dexter, Hartmann and Sherman as well as four blocks. Regis could not get back into the match, which concluded on a block from Hartmann and Sherman.
 

Dexter and Sherman recorded nine kills apiece to lead SFU against CSULA, while sophomore Serena Gentile had 21 assists at the setter position. Sophomore outside hitter Hanna Kolof had the most digs for SFU – 14 – for the second-consecutive game, while Hartmann had four block assists.

In the first set, SFU overturned a 16-13 deficit with a 7-1 run that included a pair of Khademi service aces. A Gentile ace pushed the score to 22-18, before Dexter put down a kill to clinch the set.

The Golden Eagles took the second and third, and won the first half dozen points of the fourth. But SFU fought back with an 11-3 run – aided by three blocks and a pair of Dexter kills – to eventually lead 19-15. With the sides level at 21-21, Vosloh hit a pair of kills to help SFU finish the set with a 4-1 flourish.

The win forced a deciding set, but SFU could not come back from an early 7-1 deficit.

SFU had an attacking percentage of .228 against Regis, while the Rangers hit at .203. CSULA had the advantage in the first contest,.288 to .138.

SFU will head to San Diego next week for the Point Loma Nazarene Seaside Volleyball Invitational, competing in five matches between Thursday and Saturday.

For the latest information on SFU Athletics, visit athletics.sfu.ca. You can also find us on social media at @SFU_Athletics.
 
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