BURNABY, B.C. – Despite leveling the match after two sets and extending the third Thursday night, the Seattle Pacific women's volleyball team eventually lost to 11th-ranked Simon Fraser, 25-15, 24-26, 26-24, 25-21.
The Falcons (5-6) fell to 0-3 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. They are in the midst of a treacherous stretch, starting conference play versus the top-four teams. Alaska Anchorage (11-1) topped SPU in four sets last week and Alaska Fairbanks (11-1) got a sweep. Saturday sees the Falcons visit No. 22 Western Washington (9-1).
That quartet of formidable foes boasts a combined 39-4 overall record, including Simon Fraser's 8-1 mark. The Red Leafs improved to 2-1 in GNAC play with the win.
FROM THE COACH
"In the first set we came out a little flat and Simon Fraser hit very well," Coach
Jason Rhine described. "After the first set we were able to find our rhythm, and also knock them out of system with aggressive serving. Audra (Rose) had a great night and came out with a lot of kills for us.
"From there it was a very even back and forth match. A few long rallies didn't go our way near the end, but I thought the team battled well."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Simon Fraser used a four-point run to go ahead 9-3 in the opening set with Ella McVittie serving on the last three points. SPU never drew closer than that six-point margin the rest of the set as the hosts won 25-15.
- The Red Leafs hit 35 percent in that set while holding SPU at 17%.
- Percentages proved decisive in set No. 2 as the Falcons out-hit their foes 58% to 53% en route to a 26-24 win.
- The second set featured five early ties, the final at 7-7, before SPU reeled off a 6-1 run to lead 13-8. The margin was six points, 19-13, before the hosts staged a late surge.
- A blocked attack by two Falcons seemed to score the winning point, but was overturned by a ball-handling error on Maiya Lester earlier in the rally. Instead of winning 25-23 SPU, the set was tied 24-24. The Falcons got a block to forge set point and Avery Veenendall served out the win with an ace for the decisive 26-24 tally.
- The third set was equally tight after SPU overcame a slow start. Simon Fraser raced to an 8-1 lead and was up 15-10 before six straight points provided a 16-15 lead for the visitors.
- The score was level at 24-24 before the Leafs closed the set with an ace and kill to win 26-24.
- The Falcons owned an early 4-2 edge to start the fourth set, but Simon Fraser moved into the front. The score was 22-20 after a block by Megan Omlid before the home squad closed out the set, and match, with a 3-1 run.
- The match winner came on a cross-shot from the right side by Jayden Armstrong that landed just inside the line and was verified by video replay after a challenge from SPU Coach Jason Rhine.
FROM THE BOX SCORE
- Audra Rose topped the Falcons with 13 kills and had a 29.6 hitting percentage.
- SPU's best percentage hitter was Megan Omlid at 35.3% en route to a 12-kill performance.
- Five different Falcons were credited with exactly one block as the team totaled five.
- The setter tandem of Sophia Chambers (21) and Avery Veenendall (19) combined for 40 of the Falcons 47 assists.
- Six different SPU players served up an ace, including two apiece by Omlid and Veenendall, for a team total of eight.
UP NEXT
It doesn't get easier for the Falcon spikers, who remain on the road to play 22nd-ranked Western Washington. First serve for that match in Bellingham, Wash. is 7 p.m. in Carver Gymnasium.
SPU SOCIAL
Seattle's only NCAA Division II Scholarship Program | #GoFalcons
