Dixie State opened play at the 2016 D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase on a sour note as the Trailblazers fell in three sets (25-13, 25-14, 25-22) to No. 14 Western Washington Thursday afternoon in Rohnert Park, Calif.

The Vikings (2-3) broke open the first set with seven-straight points to turn an 11-9 score into an 18-9 advantage en route to a quick set victory. WWU went on another decisive run midway through the second stanza, breaking a 10-10 tie with 10-consecutive points in taking a commanding two-set lead.

Dixie State fought to extend the match in the third frame as the two teams battled back and forth, with the Trailblazers taking their final lead of the set at 20-19. However Western Washington would score six of the final eight points of the match to close out the victory.

Senior outside hitter Delayne Daniel (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Pleaseant Grove HS) led DSU with six kills and finished with 11 digs. DSU was held to a season-low .028 hitting percentage and were forced into 21 attack errors to go with 24 kills.

Dixie State will look to bounce back with a pair of matches against two more ranked opponents Friday at the Showcase. The Trailblazers will play No. 12 Alaska Anchorage at 3 p.m. (PT), followed by a match vs. No. 15 Cal State San Bernardino at 8 p.m. (PT).