DENVER, Colo. – The Western Washington University volleyball team nearly completed an improbable comeback against No. 5 West Florida, but dropped a back-and-forth 5th set 21-19 to fall in five sets on Saturday afternoon to complete the two-day Colorado Premier Challenge.

WWU (5-3) dropped its third consecutive match – all against top-10 opponents – to finish the trip to Denver with a 1-3 record. After opening the prestigious tournament with a 3-2 win over No. 18 Lewis, The No. 3 Vikings lost to No. 6 Concordia-St. Paul (3-2), No. 10 Northwest Missouri State (3-1) and No. 5 West Florida (3-2).

The Vikings trailed the match vs. West Florida 2-0 dropping the first two sets 25-23 and 25-20, but stormed back to take the third (25-21) and fourth (25-22) sets. UWF fended off three match points for the Vikings prevailing 21-19 in the final set.

Senior outside hitter Calley Heilborn led the Vikings with 19.5 points tallying a 17-kill, 15-dig double-double and adding five blocks. Senior middle Chloe Roetcisoender had 14 kills and eight blocks and senior outside hitter Gabby Gunterman contributed 18 kills and 10 digs. In her first extended action on the court, redshirt freshman Janelle Grant had eight kills and a pair of block assists. Senior setter Malia Aleaga neared a career high with 63 assists and senior libero Kasey Woodruff led the team with 17 digs.

"We had a hard time finding a rhythm today," said WWU head coach Diane Flick-Williams. "Unfortunately, we were our own worst enemy. We will get back in the gym when we return and work to iron things out." 

The Vikings now turn their attention to the 18-match Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule with the first league game on Thursday (9/8) hosting Seattle Pacific University (2-6) on WECU Court in Carver Gym (7 pm).

The Vikings (5-3) completed the Colorado Premier Challenge with a 1-3 record and wrapped up their eight-match non-conference slate. The four-time defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions now turn their attention to the 18-match conference schedule beginning with a match next Thursday, September 8 vs. Seattle Pacific University on WECU Court in Carver Gym with first serve scheduled for 7 pm in Bellingham. The complete 2022 WWU Volleyball schedule, with links to statistics, webcasts, live stats and more can be found online at wwuvikings.com/VB.

Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2022 season: