PORTLAND, Ore. – The Multnomah University volleyball team gave Cascade Conference opponent Southern Oregon a run for their money, losing in five sets 13-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-23 and 15-10 on Friday night in Lytle Gymnasium.
 
The Lions (5-6, 1-4 CCC) had a sluggish start to the night, losing the first set 25-13 as the Raiders (6-5, 3-2 CCC) used a .343 hitting percentage to take an early lead.
 
Not backing down from a team that's receiving votes to the NAIA's Top 25, the Lions tallied the first five points in the second set. Never trailing in the set, the Lions held the Raiders to a .069 attacking percentage to even the match.
 
"The girls fought hard tonight and our own errors just brought us up short," said head coach Jenna Bouey. "They showed a lot of heart and fire throughout the match and was probably our best blocking night so far."
 
Three players recorded double digit kills for the Lions as Hannah Antal, Maile Kam and Miranda Halverson each recorded 13 kills. Sophomore setter Marissa Rhodes had her best night of the season, totaling 32 assists.
 
Neither team could gain an advantage in the third set. Tied 17-17, the Lions used a 4-1 run to edge away from Southern Oregon before a kill by Antal and a Raiders' error gave the Lions a 2-1 advantage.
 
Emma Gasman was the offensive powerhouse for Southern, recording a match high 23 kills on only 39 swings. Lauren McGowne recorded 46 assists while Taylor Ristvedt added 11 kills.
 
The Raiders opened up set number four with a 7-2 advantage and held on to the lead until kills by Gasman and Gretchen Litzsinger tied the match at two sets apiece.
 
Multnomah struggled to start the fifth set as two errors led to an early 4-0 advantage for the visitors. Unable to overcome the deficit, the Lions dropped their first five-set match of the year.
 
"Batoon had a great performance at the net and Antal had one of her best nights. We are proud of the girls and the way they played and are excited for Oregon Tech tomorrow night."
 
The Lions return to Jim Skagen Court tomorrow night to face Oregon Tech while the Raiders will stay in town to play Warner Pacific.