BURNABY, B.C. – The SFU Red Leafs claimed the program's first NCAA-era win in Bellingham, Washington, in spectacular fashion Saturday night, dominating the final two sets as part of a 3-2 comeback victory over the Western Washington Vikings (7-13, 7-5 GNAC).

SFU (13-7, 8-4 GNAC) got a few standout performances on the evening, with junior outside hitter Jocelyn Sherman (Victoria, B.C.) again leading the way with 19 kills on a .366 attack rate and 23 digs. Sophie Lachapelle was close on Sherman's heels offensively, as the junior opposite from Kelowna, B.C., notched 18 kills in a dominant showing. Senior outside hitter Hanna Kolof (Vancouver) (10 kills) and senior middle Kalyn Hartmann (Langley, B.C.) (nine) also had strong days from an attacking perspective, with Hartmann also adding a game-high five aces.

However, all that offence was orchestrated by freshman setter Ella McVittie of Hamilton, Ont., making her first career start in place of sophomore Eva Person (Brentwood Bay, B.C.). McVittie was phenomenal, racking up 49 assists, adding a couple of kills, an ace, and 13 digs as part of her coming out party.

The first set was tightly contested throughout, with both sides trading blows – the largest margin of the first frame was just 21-16 for the Vikings, and SFU managed to quickly close that gap to just 23-22 into the final stages. Then, a bit of excellent ball movement from WWU saw Delaney Speer and Karli Tri post back-to-back kills to close out the set.

Tied 10-10 in the second frame, SFU ripped off a 7-0 run to really take control for the first time in the contest. A couple of Hartmann aces and some Vikings miscues were key as the Red Leafs pulled away. SFU never allowed the Vikings back in, and fittingly closed out the set at 25-18 on another Hartmann ace.

The third set was a mirror image of the second, except in favour of the Vikings. Knotted up 12-12, WWU took the momentum with a 6-1 run. Up 20-16, the Vikings proceeded to notch five unanswered points to take the second set.
 

SFU didn't wait until midway through the fourth set to assert themselves. On the heels of a 5-0 run, the Red Leafs found themselves up 8-3 early. And every time the Vikings tried to get close, it seemed that Sherman, Lachapelle, or Hartmann were making a play to stem the comeback. Those three alone combined for 14 kills in the fourth stanza. Again, a Hartmann ace served as the final point, getting the Red Leafs the 25-18 win and a shot at completing the comeback.

SFU got the opening point of the final set on a Vikings service error, and took full advantage of the momentum. A pair of Lachapelle kills sandwiched a Macyn Unger (Prince George, B.C.) ace as Canada's NCAA team took a 4-1 lead. SFU only allowed the Vikings to get within two points just once the rest of the way, and up 10-6, the Red Leafs finished the game with a bang.

As part of a 5-0 run to close it out, Sherman had back-to-back kills before the Red Leafs forced a couple of Vikings errors. And with the freshman McVittie delivering the final serve, Sherman and sophomore middle Ezawa Malish (Coquitlam, B.C.) combined to block a Vikings attack, sealing the win for SFU.
 

The Red Leafs will now return home to West Gym next week, as they face the Seattle Pacific Falcons at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 2. SFU will then host the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 4.

Ticket purchase links:
Nov. 2: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sfu-volleyball-vs-seattle-pacific-university-tickets-679620261497
Nov. 4: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sfu-volleyball-vs-montana-state-university-billings-tickets-679623270497

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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