LACEY, Wash. - Despite a strong start offensive start, and career night for Mackenzie Carter, Saint Martin's fell to Simon Fraser in straight sets on Thursday night inside Marcus Pavilion. 

The Saints and Clan battled back and forth in the opening set, with tied scores at 7-7 and 18-18. Simon Fraser took three of the next four causing a Saints' timeout. SMU regained the momentum with back-to-back kills from Carter to pull the Saints within one. Simon Fraser responded under pressure with three straight kills to wrap up the opening set. 

The beginning of the second set was neck and neck, with a tied score at 5-5. However, Saint Martin's attack errors and a heavy offense from Simon Fraser proved to be the end all. The Saints were unable to come within less than three, giving the Clan the set 25-13. 
 
Saint Martin's came out swinging in the third set, and forced an early timeout from the Clan at 11-7. The Saints lead grew to as many as seven before a final push by Simon Fraser to help secure the victory. Simon Fraser ended the match on a 14-4 run to dash the Saints' attempt of forcing a fourth set. 
 
Carter continued to lead the Saints in kills with 16 on the match and posted a season high of .300 hitting percentage. Gracie Brenner and Emily Gooding combined for 15 kills, while Alyssa Bartlett recorded 32 assists, eight digs, and one ace. 
 
Saint Martin's continues at home with a matchup against No. 4 Western Washington on Saturday at 7 p.m. with live stats and video at smusaints.com.