BURNABY, B.C. – Simon Fraser lost 3-2 to Concordia (Calif.) in the opening match of Point Loma's Seaside Invitational Tournament in San Diego Thursday afternoon. The Golden Eagles, members of the PacWest Conference, won by set scores of 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 16-25, and 15-8.

It was the third time in five matches this season Simon Fraser has gone the distance. She was involved in all but one of SFU's dozen blocks.

Junior middle Kalyn Hartmann had a monster game at the net, ending the day with three solo blocks and eight block assists.

Sophomore opposite Brooke Dexter recorded 17 kills to lead SFU. It got a dozen kills each from outside hitters Jocelyn Sherman – a sophomore – and junior Camryn Vosloh, who also had a team-best 19 kills. Dexter also served up three aces. Sophomore setter Serena Gentile distributed 40 assists and posted 17 digs. Freshman libero Ava Khademi had 18 digs and three service aces.

Kirra Schulz was Concordia's leader in kills (13) and digs (20).
 

SFU's defence was outstanding as the team won the second and fourth sets.

After dropping the opener, SFU used a 9-1 run to break a tie and go in front 18-10. The team recorded four blocks in the surge, which was capped by a pair of stuffs involving Hartmann. She and Gentile teamed up for a block to make it 17-10. Then Hartmann and Sherman stopped a Concordia attack to give SFU an 18-10 advantage. Hartmann concluded the set with a kill at 25-18.

In the third set, the Golden Eagles overturned a three-point deficit with an extended 11-2 run.

SFU extended the match by winning the fourth – thanks in part to six blocks. A solo effort by Hartmann finished a set-opening 9-2 surge for SFU. A pair of Khademi aces pushed the lead to 19-10. SFU ended the set by winning five of the last six points. Three came on blocks – all involving Hartmann. Her solo block concluded the set.

Concordia had 4-0 and 6-1 runs in the deciding fifth set to earn the match victory.

SFU had a slight edge in offensive efficiency with a .191 hitting percentage for the contest, compared to .171 for the Golden Eagles.

SFU will continue the Seaside Invitational Tournament with a pair of games Friday. The team will start the day at 9:30 a.m. against California State San Marcos, before meeting Cal Poly Pomona at 2:30 p.m.

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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