Giving the spectators what they wanted to see, the Simon Fraser University women’s volleyball team hung on to upset Western Washington 3-2 in their biggest test of the young Great Northwest Athletic Conference season.
A triple-threat offence, with Christine Howlett, Emma Jennings and Tessa May all registering double-digit kills, set the tone as the Clan knocked off the No. 19-ranked NCAA team 25-13, 21-25, 25-21, 18-25, 15-8.
It was also SFU’s first win over Western Washington since returning to the NCAA Div. 2 circuit in 2010.
Jennings racked up 19 kills and 21 digs, Howlett counted 14 kills and May powered to 17 kills and eight blocks.
“It was really back-and-forth, but I think we stayed really solid in terms of our passing and ability to sideout,” said SFU coach Gina Schmidt. “There were a few sets where we had trouble stopping them defensively, but for the most part, we were able to go point-for-point with them on those occasions.”
Senior setter Tamara Nipp delivered a season-high 63 assists over the marathon battle, as well as three kills and an ace.
In the fifth set, the decisive point was delivered by Devon May.
Nearly 800 fans took in the game.
