BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University volleyball team recorded a 3-1 victory over No. 3 nationally ranked St. Cloud State Friday evening to close out the second day of the WWU Invitational on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

Western recorded its first win of the season leveling the record at 1-1, defeating the Huskies 21-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-16 to record the highest ranked opponent victory since knocking off No. 1 Cal State San Bernardino in the West Regional Final in Carver Gym on November 17, 2018.

"What a great team effort with contributions from everyone in different ways at key times during the match," said WWU head coach Diane Flick-Williams. "Our setters made good choices and ran an efficient offense and distributed well. Our middles got better with every play. Our opposites were so aggressive. Our pins were steady. Our libero made great rads and our serving crew was on point. I am proud of how the team approached tonight against a quality opponent."

The match featured 22 tie scores and five lead changes, with the Vikings dropping the first set, and coming back to win the next three for the win in front of over 300 fans in Carver Gym.

In a match filled with scoring runs, the Vikings capped the victory scoring the final eight points of the fourth set turning a slim 17-16 lead into a 25-16 set win to end the match.

The Vikings hit .371 in the match (56 kills, 10 errors, 124 attacks), out-blocked St. Cloud State 11.0-to-3.0 and tallied 10 service aces.

Senior outside hitter Devyn Oestreich recorded her eighth consecutive double-double dating back to last season, tallying 18 kills (.516) and 15 digs. Junior pin hitter Delaney Speer added 12 kills (.290) and seven digs and redshirt freshman opposite Violet Burchak added 10 kills.

Junior setter Caroline Hansen served the bulk of the 8-point run to end the match, recording three service aces in the match and helping run the efficient offense with 24 assists. Senior setter Adele Holland added 22 assists. Junior middle Emily Vossenkuhl led the team with six total blocks (to go with 7 kills) and redshirt freshman Teya Zaddack had five blocks. Junior libero Finnley Claeys anchored the defense with a team-high 16 digs and tied her career-high with three service aces.

St. Cloud State (1-2) was led by 15 kills from middle Ella Thompson (.313 attack pct.) and a 12-kill, 10-dig double-double by Emery Thury. The Huskies reached the Central Region championship match a year ago finishing with a 29-3 overall record. 

The Vikings (1-1) are close out the WWU Invitational Saturday facing No. 4 San Francisco State (0-3) at 4 pm on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Following the season-opening home tournament, Western travels to play four matches in the Aloha State Showdown in Honolulu September 11-13. The complete 2025 season schedule can be viewed at WWUVikings.com/25_VB.

Here is a look at the schedule and results for the 2025 WWU Volleyball Invitational:

Kills – Oestreich (18), Speer (12), Burchak (10)

Aces – Claeys (3), Hansen (3), Speer (2)

Blocks – Vossenkuhl (6), Zaddack (5), May (3)

Assists – Hansen (24), Holland (22), Vossenkuhl (2)

Digs – Claeys (16), Oestreich (15), Speer (7)

Points – Oestreich (19.0), Speer (15.5), Vossenkuhl (11.0), Burchak (10.5)

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and St. Cloud State:

Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2025 season: