PORTLAND, Ore. – The Multnomah University Lions hosted the Warner Pacific Knights for their first single game day of conference play. After a five-set battle, the Knights came away with the win.

Set one saw the teams play even all throughout – going point for point and trading runs, up until Warner Pacific had the advantage at 20-19 and ran away with the first set victory, 25-22.

The Knights had their worst hitting percentage of the match in set two, while the Lions had their best. Multnomah took advantage after a few momentum gaining runs kept them ahead, finishing with the 7 point win.

Finding their stride again, Warner Pacific had their best hitting percentage in the third set. Despite starting the set down 3-0, the Knights came back and as their offense picked back up as they went on a 9 point run near the end of the set, winning 25-13.

Trading the 3 point run to start, Warner Pacific was up in the fourth set. After battling their way back and trading big kills, the Lions pulled away after a 7 point run, taking the set by 9, 25-16.

Starting off on a tough note, the first four points of the final set were from unforced errors. The Knights took advantage and went up 5-2. Doubling their lead, Warner Pacific stayed consistent on their offense and went up by 6, 11-5. Not giving up yet, the Lions went on a late run to shorten the difference to 2 points, 13-11. But back-to-back kills from Grace Buchanan sealed the victory for the Knights, with a final score of 15-13.

Leading both teams in kills was the Lions Danae Stokes, finishing with 25 on the night. Stokes earned a double-double after also tallying 20 digs. Also in double digits for kills was Jahnay Jardine with 10. The defense played lights out for Multnomah, with five Lions in double digits for digs. Alyssa Mehalovich led the charge with 26, followed by Stokes and Kamaile Labanon with 20, then Lauren Porter with 13, and Rachel Bailey with 12. Bailey also finished with 47 assists.

Mercedes Massey of Warner Pacific led both teams in digs after tallying an impressive 30 ups. The Knights outside hitters both had double-doubles, after Grace Buchanan had 20 kills and 25 digs, and Alohilani Keola had 11 kills and 19 digs. Shania Rose also held her own on the backline after digging up 18. Matalasi Laban finished with 39 assists in the match.

The win gives the Knights a record of 1-8, and deals the Lions their 9^th straight loss. The teams will play face-off again on March 20^th, with a 7pm start time.