Sept. 2, 2005
Box Score
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Despite staging two rallies to force a deciding fifth game, Western Washington University fell to Cal Poly Pomona, 30-20, 29-31, 30-23, 26-30, 15-5, to open the Emerald City Classic on Friday at Royal Brougham Pavilion on the campus of co-host Seattle Pacific University.
The Vikings, who fell to 3-2, were led by middle blocker Tiana Roma (R-Fr., Edmonds/Edmonds-Woodway) with 11 kills and a .550 attack percentage. Libero Courtney Schneider (So., Snohomish) had a match-high 18 digs.
"We played really tentative," said Western coach Diane Flick. "We let them play their game and we tried to match it instead of bringing our game to the floor."
Cal Poly Pomona, which remained unbeaten at 5-0, was paced by Jenna Young, who recorded a match-high 23 kills with a .400 attack percentage. Kellie Francis had 17 kills and 14 digs for the Broncos, and Allison Anderson added 16 kills.
Western's troubles began almost immediately, when the Vikings fell behind 9-1 in the first game. Western would get no closer than seven points the rest of the game.
In the second game, Western jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but allowed Cal Poly Pomona to tie the score at 20-20. The Broncos threatened for the remainder of the game, but the Vikings held on and won on a service ace by Schneider.
After Cal Poly Pomona took the third game, Western again rallied and won a hard-fought fourth game.
In the fifth game, Western fell behind early and never recovered. The Broncos rushed out to a 5-0 lead, and although the Vikings twice closed the gap to four points, Cal Poly Pomona outscored Western 9-3 the rest of the way.
Western meets Cal State L.A. (5-0) at 4:30 p.m. today. On Saturday, the Vikings face Chico State at 11:30 a.m. and AVCA/NCAA Division II Preseason No.1-ranked Nebraska Kearney at 4:30 p.m.
