FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Vikings dropped just their third Big Sky Conference match of the year in a four-set loss at Northern Arizona Saturday afternoon.
 
After dropping the first two frames 25-23 and 25-19, Portland State (18-6 overall, 9-3 Big Sky Conference) took the third set 25-21. Northern Arizona (11-12, 7-5) came back and took the fourth set 25-21.
 
JR OH Sarah Brennan came off the bench and gave the Vikings a spark. She led the team with a season-high 13 kills in the match on a team-high 38 swings. She also added three digs and assisted on three of Portland State's nine blocks in the match.
 
FR OH Parker Webb and JR MB MIkaelyn Sych each added 10 kills, while hitting over .350. It was Sych's third consecutive match with double-digit kills.
 
The opening frame played closely through the early stages. The Lumberjacks opened up a four-point lead at 18-14 before the Vikings were able to close the gap and tied it at 18-18 behind the tough serving of JR DS Haley Glass. The teams traded points to 23-23 before an NAU block followed by a kill gave the 'Jacks the 25-23 win in the first.
 
Northern Arizona started to create a little separation after being tied at 10-10 in the second set. The Lumberjacks opened up a five-point lead at 19-14 before extending it to take the second set 25-19.
 
It was Portland State's turn to pull away late in the third set. Tied at 18-18, the Vikings scored four-straight points, again behind Glass' tough serving, to go up 22-18. The teams traded points before a kill from SO OH Caitlin Bettenay gave the Vikings the 25-21 win in the third.
 
Northern Arizona took the lead early in the fourth after opening the frame on a 4-0 run. The Lumberjacks extended their lead to 10-3. The Vikings started to chip away at the lead. PSU went on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 14-12. NAU countered with a run of its own to go up 17-12.
 
Portland State cut into Northern Arizona's lead late in the set before the 'Jacks took it 25-21.
 
Northern Arizona had three players in double-figure kills led by Kaylie Jorgenson's match-high 16 kills. The Lumberjacks out-hit the Vikings .224-to-.155 for the match.
 
Portland State returns home next week for its final home match of the regular season. The Vikings host the Montana Grizzlies on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Concordia University. The match will begin 8 p.m. PT. It will be Senior Night as the Vikings will honor their three seniors.