DENVER, Colo. – The No. 9 nationally-ranked Western Washington University volleyball team dropped its first match of the 2021 season, falling in straight sets to No. 17 Wayne State College Friday during the opening day of the Colorado Premier Challenge on the Regis University campus.
The Vikings (3-1) were swept by the Wildcats (5-0) 25-22, 25-17, 25-22 in a battle of the two ranked programs. WSC completed a perfect first day of the tournament also beating No. 5 Lewis in straight sets.
"This is why we came to this tournament…to challenge ourselves," said WWU head coach
Diane Flick-Williams. "This is the competition we need to face to learn about ourselves, especially on the road, and prepare for it. There is lots of volleyball left to be played."
WWU was led by another double-double by sophomore outside hitter
Calley Heilborn, who recorded a match-high 14 kills on a .367 hitting percentage and added 14 digs. Heilborn has now recorded a double-double (kills/digs) in all four matches this season and 29 of 45 career matches.
Sophomore libero
Kasey Woodruff led three Vikings in double-figures in digs with 13 and sophomore setter
Malia Aleaga had 30 assists. Sophomore defensive and serve specialist
Tupu Lologo tallied three service aces.
The Wildcats were led by 11 kills each from Jazlin DeHaan (.286) and Maggie Brahmer (.563). Wayne State out-hit the Vikings .262 to .135 and held a slight 6-4 lead in blocks.
UP NEXT
The Vikings (3-1) return to action this evening playing No. 5 Lewis (4-1) at 6 pm MT/5 pm PT. The match will stream live online with direct links available at
wwuvikings.com/21_VB.
WWU STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kills - Heilborn, Calley (14), Fairchild, Olivia (7), Gunterman, Gabby (6)
Aces – Lologo (3)
Blocks - Roetcisoender (2), Fairchild (2), Biscup (1)
Assists - Aleaga (30)
Digs - Woodruff (12), Gunterman (11), Heilborn (10)
Points - Heilborn (14.5), Fairchild (8.0), Roetcisoender (6.5), Gunterman (6.0)
