SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Continuing to play one of the toughest early-season schedules in the nation, the youthful Western Washington University volleyball team dropped its non-conference match vs. No. 9 Cal State LA in straight sets Saturday evening at the Yote Classic Showcase.

Ranked No. 15 entering the season, the Vikings dropped to 0-3 on the season while playing their third consecutive match against a ranked opponent. Game scores were 25-17, 25-15, 25-18 in favor of the Golden Eagles (1-2).

In a match-up of the last two West Regional champions, Cal State LA came out ahead to record its first victory of the young season.

WWU's youthful roster features 11 of 13 players that have seen action this season listed as underclassmen in eligibility.

Sophomore middle Asia Stewart led the Vikings recording 5.0 points in the match with three kills on a .333 hitting percentage and three blocks. Outside hitter Delaney Speer and Devyn Oestreich each tallied four kills. Redshirt freshman Caroline Hansen recorded both of the Vikings service aces.

The Vikings (0-3, 0-0 GNAC) close out the opening weekend of the 2023 season Saturday taking on No. 3 MSU Denver (2-0) with first serve scheduled for 2:30 pm. The complete 2023 WWU Volleyball schedule, with links to statistics, webcasts, live stats and more can be found online at wwuvikings.com/VB.

Kills – Speer (4), Oestreich (4), Stewart (3), Kepley (3), Grant (3)

Aces – Hansen (2)

Blocks – Stewart (3), Vossenkuhl (2), Honrud (2)

Assists – Holland (9)

Digs – Oestreich (7), Claeys (3), Hansen (3)

Points – Stewart (5.0), Speer (4.5), Oestreich (4.5), Grant (3.5), Kepley (3.0)

Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2023 season:

After opening the 2023 season with 10 consecutive matches on the road, the Vikings will make its debut on WECU Court in Carver Gym on Thursday, September 21 hosting defending GNAC champion Alaska Anchorage. Season tickets for the Vikings nine home matches are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6103. Single-game tickets are also available at wwuvikings.com/Tickets. New for the 2023-24 season for all intercollegiate sports will be FREE STUDENT TICKETS at all events! The complete 2022 WWU Volleyball schedule can be viewed online and bookmarked for easy access at wwuvikings.com/23_VB.

Here is a match-by-match look at the 2023 season with current results and the schedule:

Fans can follow WWU Volleyball online at WWUVikings.com/VB, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUVolleyball), Instagram (@WWUVB) and Facebook (@WWUVolleyball). All home matches feature a live webcast, as well as most road matches, with links on how to follow the games available at WWUVikings.com/Live.

The WWU Volleyball program enters its 52nd season as a varsity intercollegiate sport in 2023, rising to an elite level by advancing to the NCAA Division II Championships in each of the last 10 seasons and 16 of the last 21 dating back to the 2001 season. The program has recorded 1,012 all-time wins (1012-581-7). The winner of 11 Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the Vikings have four of the last five GNAC titles with a perfect 19-1 record in 2017, perfect 20-0 mark in 2018, an 18-2 league record in 2019 and clinched the four-peat with a 17-1 record in 2021. Led by 23rd-year head coach Diane Flick-Williams (506-126) the Vikings have posted a 257-56 record over the last 11 seasons and played in the NCAA II West Region championship match five out of the last seven seasons (2015-21), winning titles in 2015, 2018 and 2021 (also 2007). WWU played for the NCAA II national championship in 2007 and 2018, both national runner-up finishes, and have advanced to the NCAA Final Four in three of the past six seasons (2015, 2018, 2021).