Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Portland State
Wildcat volleyball falls in four sets to Vikings
11/22/2013 5:49:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
OGDEN, Utah – The Wildcats didn't back down from the Big Sky's top dog.
The Weber State University women's volleyball team didn't quite pull off the victory it was seeking on Thursday night, but it wasn't for lack of a solid effort.
Despite a 17-kill performance from junior outside hitter Audrey Biggs, the Wildcats fell 25-14, 25-19, 22-25, 25-15 to Portland State at Swenson Gym.
Biggs had nine of hits kills and hit .625 during Weber State's third set victory over the Vikings, its first set victory in the series since the 2009 season.
Biggs finished the night hitting .250, and had six digs and four blocks for the Wildcats. Sophomore outside hitter Rebecca Fuchs had eight kills, six blocks – including a solo block, and a service ace.
Freshman middle blocker Katie Harvey had seven blocks, and senior outside hitter Shanae Burgin had six blocks – including a solo block.
Sophomore setter/outside hitter Samantha Staker and sophomore setter Whitney Hunt combined for 32 assists on the Wildcats' 39 kills.
Junior libero McKay Tarbox had 21 digs to lead Weber State in that category.
The Wildcats (3-16 Big Sky, 7-26 overall) finished the night with 15 team blocks and out-dug the Vikings (16-3, 19-10) 46-42.
Portland State captured the first two sets, opening up a 2-0 lead in the best-of-5 match, but Weber State wasn't going to go quietly.
The Wildcats trailed 7-2 early in the third set, and were still behind 20-17 late after a kill by the Vikings' Kaeli Patton.
Back-to-back kills by Biggs made it 20-19, and Weber State tied things up at 20-20 on a Portland State attack error, before surging into the lead on back-to-back blocks by Fuchs and Harvey to put WSU in front 22-20.
A service error and an attacking error by Fuchs brought the Vikings back to 22-22, but PSU committed a service error and Fuchs had back-to-back kills to make it a 2-1 match.
Portland State regained the momentum early in the fourth set and rode that to the finish line.
Weber State will wrap up its 2013 season on Saturday night against Eastern Washington. The Eagles fell in straight sets to Idaho State on Thursday night in Pocatello, Idaho, and come to Ogden with a 6-13 mark in Big Sky play (9-21 overall). First serve of the match, which will be Senior Day for three Wildcats – Shanae Burgin, Briana Wilms and Piper Wahlin, is set for 7 p.m.
