ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Women's Volleyball went right after undefeated No. 15 Fresno Pacific on Wednesday, triumphing in the second set and falling by just five combined points in the first and fourth of a 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 12-25, 23-25) Pacific West Conference decision that could have easily favored the Oaks inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion.

Oaks Highlights
-Three Oaks, Dayjah McFadden (12), Janet Moala (12), & Fuka Kikuchi (10), finished with double-digit kills
-The tandem of Ruby Santos & Jolianna Salazar combined for 32 assists
-Sophia Kelso paced Menlo with five blocks, giving her 13 in her last two matches
-Faith Oller's 11 digs led four Oaks in double figures

Menlo Leads Late In Three Of Four Sets
As the teams felt each other out through an 8-8 score to start, the Oaks built a four-point advantage with heavy involvement from freshman outside hitter Dayjah McFadden and senior middle blocker Janet Moala both offensively and defensively. Despite being up 21-18, Menlo was countered by a 7-1 run that allowed Fresno Pacific to come back for the 25-22 win. The first four kills of the second frame came from different Oaks as the home team soon worked their way in front on a steady 12-5 push that featured three different blocks involving freshman middle blocker/opposite Sophia Kelso. FPU was never allowed more than two points in a row in the second part of a set that ended with the Oaks on top 25-23 and evened the match.

Runs of 8-0 and 5-0 in the third frame demonstrated the consistency of the No. 15 team in the country and ultimately the visitors emerged with the initial advantage following their 25-12 victory. Refusing to give in with a strong crowd at their back, the Oaks went from down 18-14 to up 21-19 during a fourth set surge led by kills from Moala and junior outside hitter Fuka Kikuchi. A dramatic finish saw Kikuchi's kill from junior defensive specialist Faith Oller tie the set at 23-23 before FPU managed to secure the last two points for a 25-23 triumph.

Up Next
Continuing this current stretch of three home matches in four days, Menlo will host Biola this Friday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. alongside an early celebration of Halloween with a costume contest.