ATHERTON, CA – Haynes-Prim Pavilion was rocking Friday night as Menlo Women's Volleyball prevailed in an incredible extended third set to spark a determined reverse sweep, pushing past Concordia 3-2 (12-25, 17-25, 33-31, 25-20, 15-7) for the Pacific West Conference victory.

Oaks Highlights
-19 kills for Fuka Kikuchi were here second-highest total of the year
-Dajyah McFadden delivered a full stat line with 10 kills, a season-high 17 digs, & four service aces
-Jolianna Salazar and Ruby Santos combined for 32 assists
-Sophia Kelso sent back a season-best seven blocks
-Supporting a season-high 77 digs as a team, three Oaks posted double-digit digs

Menlo Stays Undefeated At Home
The match started with Concordia in front 12-3 and, though junior outside hitter Fuka Kikuchi sent down four kills in four of five points that followed, the Golden Eagles came away with the 25-12 win. CUI's 9-4 start to the second frame was countered by back-and-forth action until the margin was three points at 14-11 when a 6-0 run helped the visitors secure a 25-17 result.

In the third set, however, it was Menlo who started strong, going up 10-6 to begin then 22-20 on a block combining senior middle blocker Janet Moala and freshman middle blocker/opposite Sophia Kelso. After Concordia came back to tie the frame 22-22, the two teams locked into a wild battle that featured nine ties, three set points for the Golden Eagles, and six for the Oaks as Kikuchi, senior middle blocker/opposite Maya Saole-Su'e, and freshman outside hitter Dayjah McFadden all registered clutch kills while junior setter/defensive specialist Ruby Santos and others provided match-saving digs toward the eventual 33-31 victory.

A 4-0 burst midway through the fourth set was propelled by multiple blocks from Saole-Su'e and Kelso yet CUI rallied back to claim an 18-16 advantage. That gave way to a Menlo surge with seven unanswered points including multiple McFadden service aces plus an emphatic block by Moala and Kikuchi. Those two swung for kills thereafter, ending the frame in favor of the Oaks 25-20.

Though Concordia scored the first three points of the final set, one of the night's most decisive stretches then came for Menlo as Kikuchi posted four kills, Saole-Su'e and freshman setter Jolianna Salazar both had kills as well as a combined block, and Moala served up an ace all during a 9-0 momentum shift. The Oaks kept their foot on the gas, excelling both offensively and defensively until junior libero Emily Licon's third kill of the season dramatically ended the 15-7 exclamation mark for match point.

Up Next
It will be a quick turnaround for Menlo as No. 5 Point Loma will be welcomed to Haynes-Prim Pavilion tomorrow, Oct. 4 for a 3 p.m. first serve.