Atherton, CA- Arizona Christian grabbed a first set win but could not finish off Menlo on Saturday as the Firestorm fell 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-14).  Senior Alli Lemnitzer produced seven kills on .400 hitting.

The afternoon match opened with the Firestorm (9-9, 5-4 GSAC) jumping out to a 7-0 lead.  Two blocks by Senior Debbie White and Lemnitzer, a block by Junior Jackie Stein, a White kill, and a service ace by Sophomore Delaney Harris were the backbone of the run.  ACU did not look back and as they rolled to the set win.

Set two featured 10 ties and seven lead changes with ACU holding a 15-13 edge.  But the Oaks (14-6, 4-3 GSAC) countered with four straight kills for control of the set.

In the third set, Sophomore Amanda Bakonyi tied the score at 1-1 thanks to a kill.  White gave the Firestorm a 6-5 advantage.  After ties of 6-6 and 7-7, Menlo went in front for good in the set.

A kill by Stein started the fourth set but the Oaks secured the next three points and remained ahead until the final whistle.

Behind the seven kills of Lemnitzer, Stein had six kills while Bakonyi and Junior Breanna Scott put down five kills.

For the first week of October, the Firestorm will jump out of GSAC action to face interstate rivals Ottawa (AZ) and Benedictine-Mesa.  The match on Wednesday against the Spirit will be at Valley Vista High School in Surprise at 7:00 pm.