The SFU Women’s Volleyball team suffered a 3–1 defeat against Northern Nazarene on Saturday. Northern Nazarene pulled into a tie for first place in the Conference, improving their record to 10–2. The loss dropped the Clan to 5–7 in Conference Play.
The Clan came out slow losing the first two sets 25–15 and 25–11. However, they bounced back to take the second set 25–17 before succumbing 25–20 in the decisive fourth set. Tessa May led the team with 12 kills and five blocks. Emma Jennings had nine kills, one ace and four blocks, and Devon May finished the game with a total of nine kills.
Coach Schmidt responded to Saturday’s game, stating, “We started slow Saturday so I was happy how our team responded after the break between sets two and three. Overall, our offensive output wasn’t able to match [Nazarene’s] and that was the biggest difference in the game. We’ve been working to improve our hitting efficiency as a team and we will continue to focus on that for our upcoming matches.”
The team was in Alaska two weeks ago where they split their two matches. Coach Schmidt also related how the team was fortunate to experience zero-degree temperatures as opposed to the frigid and icy conditions of last year’s late November trip. However, due to midterms, most of the team’s downtime was spent studying rather than sightseeing.
This week the Volleyball team has two matches at home. This Tuesday at 7 p.m., they take on Western Washington and their 10–2 Conference record. The Clan did manage to take a set from WWU in a 3–1 defeat earlier in the season.
Coach Schmidt outlined the keys to victory in this match: “WWU has a very balanced attack, so strong serving will be important tomorrow night. If we can eliminate some of their options with their passing, it will make it easier for us to defend. And on our side of the net, we will need to execute on offense. We will need to be aggressive and find ways to score.”
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Clan will take on Montana State University Billings, who are ninth in the conference. The Clan will look to sweep the season series against Billings after a 3–1 victory on the road earlier in the season.
