The Simon Fraser University volleyball team nearly upset nationally ranked Northwest Nazarene University Saturday night, taking the Great Northwest Athletic Conference leaders to five sets in an action-packed match, before falling 3-2.
The Clan got off to a slow start in set one, falling 25-9 to the Crusaders, but were able to collect their composure and return the favour in the second set, defeating the home team 25-16. They were unable however to take a lead in the match, as NNU made it a 2-1 match after winning the third set 25-13.
Simon Fraser pulled out the necessary victory in the fourth set, forcing a fifth set with a score of 25-21, making the Clan the first team in the conference schedule to take the Crusaders to a tiebreaker this season.
The match was a showcase of their ability to play with the conference's elite. SFU was ultimately unable to hang on in the final set, falling 15-10 in the end.
The Clan fell to an 8-6 record in the Great Northwest and are currently in fifth position in the conference standings having been passed Central Washington last Thursday night. Simon Fraser have to play four more contests before the season's end where they will look to secure their first winning record in conference competition since joining the NCAA.
Brooklynn Gould-Bradbury had 26 assists on the night, leading the Clan to their impressive performance against the conference leaders, while Kelsey Robinson had 13 kills on the night.
Sophomore Devon May added 12 kills while Alison McKay had 24 digs for SFU.
The Clan now shift their focus to their final homestand of the season as they prepare to host Western Oregon and Saint Martin's this Thursday and Saturday, before traveling to Alaska for the final two games of the season.
Thursday's game against the Wolves begins at 7 p.m. and admission is free for SFU students.
