SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In rhythm early, Menlo Women's Volleyball narrowly dropped the opening set, bounced back to even the match with a win in the second, but the Oaks ultimately fell to Western Oregon 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-16, 25-16) inside Don Nasser Family Plaza on Friday.

Oaks Highlights

• Posting double-digit kills for the fourth straight match, Dayjah McFadden led Menlo with 11 put-aways
• A season-best 18 assists came off the hands of Ruby Santos
• Janet Moala delivered four service aces, marking the most by an Oak this year
• Two Oaks collected double-digit digs with Kate Ross' 16 serving as a match high
   

Menlo Makes Move With Strong Second Set
Though Menlo faced a 14-8 deficit in the first part of the opening frame, points came from a variety of places as a kill by freshman outside hitter Dayjah McFadden, a solo block by freshman outside hitter/opposite Kate Ross, and a service ace from junior libero Makena Reis-Schranz sparked a comeback. Aces by Ross and senior middle blocker Janet Moala highlighted a late 5-2 push that tied things at 24-24, but Western Oregon got the last two kills for the 26-24 result.

Simply on fire to start the second set, the Oaks had a pair of kills come from senior middle blocker/opposite Maya Saole-Su'e and two more service aces by Moala power a 9-2 advantage. The Wolves cut the margin to three only to see it expand following Menlo rebuttal runs of 7-2 and later 6-1 as six different Oaks recorded kills. Menlo proceeded to knot the match at 1-1 with a McFadden kill finishing the 25-20 victory.

Menlo built a 10-5 lead to begin the third set yet an 8-0 response by WOU shifted the momentum toward the first of what would be two 25-16 scores in the final frames. The fourth was tied 12-12 before a 10-2 push helped the Wolves prevail 3-1 in the contest.

Up Next
Menlo's final opponent in the SF State Gator Classic will be No. 6 Tampa as the Oaks meet the Spartans back inside Don Nasser Family Plaza tomorrow at 1 p.m.