Western Oregon Rallies to Stun Seattle in Five Games

The Wolves improved to 3-0 in the conference and to 6-4 overall with the win.

Nikole Thompson tied the school record for kills in a match with 29 in Thursday night's loss to Western Oregon. Photo courtesy: Seattle University

SEATTLE - Western Oregon rallied from a 2-0 deficit, and then rushed back again from a 14-13 trail in the fifth game to post a stunning comeback victory on the road over Seattle University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball action.

The Wolves improved to 3-0 in the conference and to 6-4 overall with the 28-30, 18-30, 30-27, 30-27, 17-15 victory.

Seattle falls to 0-3 in the GNAC and 3-8 overall.

The Redhawks looked to make short work of the Wolves at the Connelly Center, busting out to a quick 2-0 lead.

But Western rallied to win close encounters in games three and four, setting up the deciding fifth match.

Seattle again looked to be in control, taking a 4-1 lead and never trailing until the Wolves inched back to tie the game at 10-10.

Three kills by Kayla Mainer gave WOU their first lead in the game at 13-11, but the Redhawks then scored the next three points to lead 14-13 and set themselves up with a match point.

But an SU service error tied the game again, and Haley Kostrba then pounded a kill to give WOU match point at 15-14.

A Western service error followed (15-15), but Kostrba then pounded back-to-back kills to seal the win for WOU.

Kostrba finished with 22 kills and a career-high 32 digs. Mainer added 20 kills and 20 digs, Claire Carpenter had 26 digs, Sharon Peterson had three solo blocks (five total blocks) and setter Amy Herron contributed 55 assists and 16 digs.

Nikole Thompson had 29 kills to lead the hosts, and Heather Gerke had 25 digs.

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