LACEY, Wash. – In a hotly contested match, where both sides fought to gain any kind of control, Western Oregon managed to escape Marcus Pavilion with a four set victory over the Saints, despite a 17 kill performance from Megan Vernoy.
 
Western Oregon (5-6, 2-2) never won a set by more than three points, but always managed to gather clutch kills at the end of the set to come out on top 25-23, 14-25, 25-23, 25-22. The Saints (2-8, 0-4) connected on everything in the second set, striking an impressive 10 kills, 0 errors and .625 hitting percentage. Vernoy stepped up with 17 kills and three service aces, while Ililani Kamaka in her return added five aces.
 
The Wolves jumped out to an early lead in the first set, 7-2, before the Saints stormed back to eventually tie the set at 12-12. Kills by Vernoy, Annika Briggs and Bridgette Bourgouin helped fuel the Saints' run and later put SMU on top 16-15. Later in the set, after another kill for Vernoy, the Saints led 22-20. Western Oregon recorded three kills in the final six points, and snuck out with a 25-23 victory.
 
The second set was all Saint Martin's. Western Oregon never led in the set, and with four Vernoy kills, three service aces, and two kills from Molly Cichosz, the Saints extended their lead from 8-7 to 16-10. The kills continued to pile up for SMU, while remaining perfect in their approach. The set came to a close on a 6-0 run for the Saints, highlighted by two more aces for Kamaka.
 
The Wolves used an early 6-1 run to establish control in the third set. The Saints quickly responded and managed to trim the lead to one on multiple occasions before eventually tying the set at 14-14. However, the Saints offense went into a rut, striking four errors in a row, and trailing by four. Down 23-19, the Saints, once again with two service aces from Kamaka, managed to rally and tie the set at 23-23. After a service ace, the Wolves sealed the critical set victory with a kill.
 
Saint Martin's managed to jump on the Wolves in the opening rallies of the fourth set, leading 8-4. Western Oregon continued to chip away at the Saints' lead throughout the whole set, and used a 7-1 run to take their first lead at 20-17. The Saints responded with kills from Briggs and Rachel Gondrezick to pull within one; however, were unable to complete the comeback and fell 25-22.
 
Vernoy capped off her 30-kill, 7-ace week with 17 kills, and three aces, along with six digs and two blocks. Courtney Misner put together another complete performance on the defensive side, recording 20 digs, and finished the week at 52. Kamaka in her return to the lineup ended with seven kills, five aces, four digs, and two blocks. Gondrezick complied 13 digs with six kills, while Alyssa Bartlett completed a double-double with 27 assists, and 15 digs.
 
The Saints have a quick turnaround, traveling to Seattle Pacific on Tuesday for a 7:00 p.m. match. Live stats and video of the match can be found on smusaints.com.