BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Sep. 8) - The Seawolf volleyball team had a rough start to Great Northwest Athletic Conference play here Thursday, losing 30-23, 30-20, 30-14 to host Western Washington at Carver Gymnasium.

UAA (3-6, 0-1 GNAC) was led by nine kills from sophomore outside hitter Jenny Carpenter, while Western (5-4, 1-0) got 11 kills and four blocks from Tiana Roma.

Junior middle blocker Chelsey Glines paced UAA with 11 digs, and freshman Caitlin Grenier had five total blocks.

The Vikings established early leads in each of the first two games. Western jumped to an 8-2 advantage in the opening game. The Seawolves pulled to within three at 25-22, but the Vikings scored five of the next six points, closing out the frame on libero Courtney Schneider's third service ace of the game.

In the second game, Western grabbed an 11-5 advantage, but UAA rallied again, tying the score at 15-15. The Vikings were still narrowly in front at 21-20, but ran off eight consecutive points on the serve of outside hitter Jamie Petersen to take the game.

In the final game, UAA held an 8-7 lead before Western took over, going on a 19-4 run.

Things get no easier for the Seawolves as they travel next to Ellensburg, Wash., for a Saturday match against defending GNAC champ and ninth-ranked Central Washington (7-2, 1-0).