Atherton, CA - The women's volleyball team dropped a pivotal conference match at Menlo College, losing 3-1, 25-15, 25-6, 21-25, 25-13.

The Golden Eagles entered the match in first place in the conference standings, and could have taken a big step towards securing the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament. Instead, the Oaks stepped up to the challenge, pulling to within a half game of the Golden Eagles.

Aside from a loss in Set 3, the Oaks dominated play, cruising to the 3-1 victory. But despite the loss, the one set (Set 3) that the Golden Eagles were able to win could become instrumental in deciding the top seed.

If the Golden Eagles and the Oaks finish the regular season with identical records, the Golden Eagles will win the tie-breaker for the top seed, for the second season in a row. La Sierra would win the tie-breaker having defeated the Oaks 3-0 and losing to the Oaks 3-1 in their head-to-head match-ups.

La Sierra will secure the top seed with victories in their two remaining regular season games. They will play at UC Merced tomorrow night, followed by their regular season finale, next Saturday night, at home versus Embry-Riddle University.

The loss drops La Sierra to 6-2 in Cal Pac play (7-16 overall).