DENVER, Colo. – The No. 9 nationally-ranked Western Washington University volleyball team stormed back from a 2-1 deficit to win the final two sets and defeat Lynn University 3-2 to open the second day of play at the Colorado Premier Challenge on the MSU Denver campus.
The Vikings improved to 4-2 on the season, snapping a two-match losing streak with the 22-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-20, 15-11 win over the Fighting Knights at Auraria Event Center.
In a battle of the top two blocking teams in NCAA Division II entering the weekend, it was the Vikings that held a 9.0-to-6.0 edge at the net in blocks to help bolster the win over Lynn (3-3).
Junior middle blocker
Olivia Fairchild recorded a career-high 15 kills on a .481 hitting percentage, and added a match-high six blocks.
Sophomore All-American outside hitter
Calley Heilborn notched a 17-kill, 27-dig double-double to finish with a match-high 19.0 points.
Sophomore All-American setter
Malia Aleaga ran the offense with 57 assists, distributing the ball to five players with 9-or-more kills with the team hitting .253. Aleaga also contributed a career-high-tying four service aces.
Junior All-American outside hitter
Gabby Gunterman added a 15-kill, 16-dig double-double and junior opposite
Tess Biscup notched 10 kills.
Lynn was led by 16 kills from Morgan Browne and three players with 10 kills apiece.
UP NEXT
The Vikings (4-2) will Bronze Bracket Final of the 2021 Colorado Premier Challenge, facing West Region rival and defending national champion Cal State San Bernardino (4-3) at 5 pm MT/4 pm PT. The match will stream live online and feature statistical updates with direct links available at
WWUVikings.com/Live.
FIVE SET SUCCESS
The Vikings improved to 2-0 in five-set matches this season, also defeating MSU Denver at the WWU Invitational. Western is now 23-6 in five-set matches over the last seven seasons (since 2015), which includes a 13-3 mark over the last five seasons (since 2017).
WWU STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kills - Heilborn, Calley (17), Fairchild, Olivia (15), Gunterman, Gabby (15)
Aces - Aleaga (4), Woodruff (1)
Blocks - Fairchild (6), Heilborn (4), Roetcisoender (3)
Assists - Aleaga (57), Woodruff (1), Lologo (1)
Digs - Heilborn (27), Gunterman (16), Woodruff (14)
Points - Heilborn (19.0), Fairchild (18.5), Gunterman (16.0), Roetcisoender (11.0)
