ATHERTON, Calif. – The OUAZ women's volleyball team put one of their best performacnes of the season together on Saturday, but it wouldn't be enough as Menlo escaped with a five-set win in Golden State Athletic Conference play.
 
OUAZ (2-9, 1-7 GSAC) led the match 1-0 and 2-1 before Menlo (10-5, 6-1) came back for the 25-27, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21, 15-13 victory.
 
The Spirit were able to build those advantages behind their season-high 60 kills with four players reaching double figures. They hit .164 as a team while holding Menlo to .135 with 59 kills.
 
Austin Edwards and Avie Butsko each had 15 kills for the Spirit with Butsko hitting .382 with just two errors. Sharron Wallace added 12 kills and Katie Defer had 11.
 
Leni Bartley came up with 24 digs to help the Spirit to 89 as a team. This is her fourth straight match with 20-plus digs and the ninth time this season with double figures. Defer added 16 digs with Edwards adding 15. Kanoe Vinoya had 39 assists and 13 digs.
 
Menlo separated themselves in the serving game where the Oaks held a 13-5 advantage in service aces. They also had eight blocks compared to the four of the Spirit.
 
OUAZ has three matches next week, including a trip across town to face SAGU American Indian College on Monday at 6 p.m.