DETROIT - In one of the closest battles of the 2011 season, the Wayne State volleyball team (6-7, 5-4 GLIAC) came away from Saturday's match against Findlay (5-9, 2-7 GLIAC) with a 3-2 victory (25-20, 25-27, 25-23, 25-27, 15-9) at the Matthaei.

The result fits in with recent history, as the Warriors and Oilers have played to five sets in four of their last five meetings.  Wayne State has won all of those, however, and holds seven straight victories overall against Findlay.

Freshman Candice Ottey (Ajax, Ont.) had the best match of her young career, leading all players with a .441 hitting percentage and totaling a season-high 18 kills with three blocks.

Madie Kent (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./Grosse Pointe North) and Kristen Bulkiewicz (LaSalle, Ont./Sandwich) each finished with a double-double, the sixth of the season for both Warriors.  Nicole Arends (Ravenna, Mich.) led the blocking effort with five to compliment her 12 kills.

While the Warriors led for the majority of the first set, it was the Oilers in the second who staved off five set points and ultimately took the set, 27-25.

Neither side led by more than four points in a back-and-forth third set, which in the end swayed in the Warriors' favor, 25-23.  Wayne State fought back after being down by eight points midway through the fourth, but Findlay was able to hold on for another 27-25 win to force a fifth set.

The Warriors never trailed in the deciding set as the Oilers hit -.207 to seal their fate.

Cydney Biessel (Ruby, Mich./Yale) collected 51 assists, and Lindsey Graciak (Westland, Mich./Livonia Churchill) racked up 31 digs for the Warriors, who snapped a three-match losing skid.

After a non-conference road match with Lewis on Wednesday, Wayne State will be at home next weekend, hosting Northwood on Friday and Lake Superior State on Saturday.  Friday's match is Dig For a Cure Night, as fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.