LACEY, Wash. – The Saints faced the toughest opponent they have faced all season, hosting second ranked Western Washington, and fell in straight sets 25-12, 25-16, 25-16.
 
The Saints managed to close the gap multiple times throughout the three sets; however, they lacked the firepower of the Vikings. Western Washington managed to stave off multiple rallies and secured three more set victories as their perfect run of the GNAC continues in the 2018 season.
 
Western Washington used a 6-0 run to gain an early 9-5 lead on the Saints, before a kill by Rachel Gondrezick and ace by Molly Cichosz trimmed the lead to two. After some back and forth rallies, the Vikings pulled away on a 9-0 run to secure the first set.
 
The Vikings continued the momentum in the second set, opening on an 8-2 run. The Saints responded once again and cut the lead to as little as three, highlighted by another ace from Cichosz. However, the early deficit proved to be too much for the Saints to overcome, as Western Washington won the second set 25-16.
 
In the final set, the Vikings began with another early lead, 8-3, before the Saints for the third time in the match, managed to cut into the lead. With Vikings' lead down to three, Western Washington regained their offensive form and pulled away down the stretch to clinch the third and final set.
 
Megan Vernoy led the way with eight kills, followed by Gondrezick at seven and Ililani Kamaka at six. Cichosz led the team in aces at two, and also managed one block, and three kills. Hannah McKee's 13 assists, along with Alyssa Bartlett's 12 assists, made up 25 of the Saints' 29 assists. Courtney Misner and Gondrezick both reached the double-digit mark in digs, and ended with a combined 23.
 
The Saints play their final game of the season on Saturday, hosting Simon Fraser, at 7:30 p.m. inside Marcus Pavilion. Live stats and video of the match will be available on smusaints.com.