Pullman, Wash. - Santa Clara women's volleyball fell in a tough five set showdown at Washington State on Saturday in Pullman, Wash. The Broncos battled back after dropping the first set, winning sets two and three, but came up just short, dropping the final two sets. Cate Shanahan had a career night, totaling career bests in kills (20), digs (17), and aces (4). Selin Aslayan also added a career best 14 kills, and Layla Truitt had her eighth game of the season in double figures with 11 kills.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Three straight points put the Broncos up 6-1 to open set one, and later 9-4 after a block from Cate Shanahan. However, Washington State (8-4, 2-0) scored seven points in a row to tie the match at 11. A kill by Selin Aslayan put the Broncos up 14-11, and a Shanahan kill made it 16-13. Five straight points from WSU helped them gain their first lead at 21-19, and after a long rally found themselves up 23-20, forcing a Santa Clara timeout. A WSU kill gave them set one, 25-21.
• The Broncos (6-7, 1-1) scored the first three points of set two, and four in a row after a kill from Aslayan to take an 8-3 lead. A kill from Layla Truitt capped off three straight putting the Broncos up 13-7, and later 23-14 after a kill from Grace Flanagan. A block from Shanahan sealed set two for the Broncos, 25-16.
• The Broncos scored six points in a row capped off by a kill from Shanahan to take a 10-2 lead, and seven straight to take a 17-3 advantage. The Cougars fought back, cutting the lead to 22-14, but a kill from Aslayan gave the Broncos set three, 25-15.
• Set four went back-and-forth until five straight points from WSU made it 13-7. Five straight points for the Broncos cut the deficit to 13-12 after a kill from Morgan Hayes. A kill by Shanahan tied it at 14, but three straight WSU points put them ahead 18-16. Five straight Bronco points put the Broncos up 23-22 after a service ace from Alyssa Eimer, but WSU scored two in a row to set up set point. A kill from Truitt tied it at 25, but back-to-back points from WSU gave them set four, 27-25.
• WSU jumped out to a 6-1 lead to open set five, and later 8-3. The Cougars scored five straight points to take set five, 15-6.

 
NOTABLE NUMBERS:

• Cate Shanahan had a career high 20 digs, adding a career best 17 digs for her second double-double of the season. She also added a career high four service aces.
• Selin Aslayan posted a career high with 14 kills, hitting a career best .400.
• Layla Truitt posted 11 kills, her eighth game of the season in double figures.
• Lexi Trapani had 14 digs, her 11th game of the season in double figures.
• Macy Hinshaw led the Broncos with 44 assists, her eighth game this season with 40 or more.
• The Broncos fall to 4-9 overall against the Cougars.

 
UP NEXT:
The Broncos return home for a matchup with Oregon State on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Leavey Center.