The SFU women’s volleyball team were handed their fourth straight loss with a four set defeat to the top Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) squad, the Western Washington University Vikings on Tuesday at home. Though the Clan fought well in the first set and came on top 31–29, the Vikings showed why they’re the top team in the Pacific Northwest. They stormed back to win the next three sets 25–20, 25–11, and 25–21.
The last time that these two teams played, SFU played an excellent first set before losing 1–3 as well. The same was to follow this time, too. Cheeky dinks from Madison Power, powerful spikes from Tessa and Devon May, and lightning quick digs from libero Alison McKay frustrated the favoured Vikings throughout the set. It was tit-for-tat right on until the end, when the Vikings gained three points in a row to get a 24–22 lead and two match points. However, SFU defended well and tied it back at 24 all.
During a timeout called by WWU after SFU tied it up 24–24, the SFU jazz band played an excellent rendition of Kenny Loggins’ classic “Danger Zone,” a song perfectly matching the action. Both teams rode into the danger zone and traded set points, but it was the Clan who was able to keep their cool and came out on top 31–29.
The second set also started out very even, with both teams trading points evenly. However, tied at 7–7, Western Washington was able to go on a run where they got nine out of the next 10 points, establishing a 16–8 lead. Though SFU was able to tighten the ship after that, the damage had already been done and Western Washington took the second set 25–20, tying the match at one set apiece.
After the intermission, the third set began, and it was the visitors who looked far livelier of the two teams. They stormed out of the gate to a 12–3 lead, and never looked back. It became clear why WWU is ranked as high as they are, as it seemed like every SFU spike was either blocked at the net or went straight to a Viking player. The effort for the Clan was clearly there, but throwing everything and the kitchen sink was not enough to faze Western Washington as they went on to take the third set 25–11.
SFU Head Coach Gina Schmidt gave some needed words of wisdom during the break, and SFU came out swinging in the fourth. Madison Power and Devon May began spiking like they did in the first set, and blocking by Tessa May stonewalled the WWU front court. All this, combined with more spectacular digs from Alison McKay, gave SFU a commanding 15–8 lead.
However, it was not to be, as the Vikings clawed back to tie it up at 18 all. A series of long rallies ensued, and it was Western Washington who came out on top in those, building a 24–19 lead. SFU was able to save two match points, but the third time was the charm as WWU took the fourth 25–21 and won the match.
After the match, Schmidt said, “I thought we fought hard, you saw a lot of good long rallies. We did a lot of good things, but they just did a few more good things.”
SFU hopes to end their four game skid against MSU-Billings tonight at 7 p.m.
