ATHERTON, CA – In front of the Oaks' biggest crowd of the season for OAKtoberFest, Menlo Women's Volleyball sent their fans home happy, wrapping up an eventful day on campus with a 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-22) victory over Simpson in non-conference action from Haynes-Prim Pavilion on Saturday.

Oaks Highlights
-12 kills for Kate Ross were her highest total of the year
-Ruby Santos and Shaylee Ungos combined for 30 assists
-Sophia Kelso matched her season-best with eight blocks while Saarika Gunapu added six
-Faith Oller collected a match-high 13 digs

Season-Best 15 Blocks Punctuate Victory
Runs of 8-1 and 6-1 enabled Simpson to get past Menlo 25-22 in the opening frame, but that momentum was quickly countered when the Oaks started the second set up 7-3 then 14-6 after a block combining junior setter Shaylee Ungos and freshman middle blocker/opposite Sophia Kelso plus kills from freshman outside hitter Dayjah McFadden and Ungos as well. While junior libero Faith Oller led the Menlo defense in keeping possessions alive, freshman outside hitter/opposite Kate Ross and Kelso authored multiple kills thereafter to even the match on Menlo's 25-19 win.

Sophomore outside hitter/opposite Avery Krebill and senior outside hitter/opposite Giulia Marinelli each had multiple put-aways during a 10-8 beginning to the third frame before a significant shift happened from 12-12. Ross' two kills ignited a 9-2 surge that eventually helped the Oaks prevail 25-17.

Also knotted 12-12 in the fourth set, the teams found themselves deadlocked at 17-17 and 20-20 as well. In the clutch, Marinelli connected on two kills and freshman middle blocker Saarika Gunapu had her hands involved in three different blocks, teaming with Marinelli as well as Krebill to finish off the 25-22 victory.

Up Next
Menlo's homestand rolls on with the Oaks will be back inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion for a 6 p.m. first serve hosting Fresno Pacific on Oct. 22.