Eagles Get Second Straight Sweep
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University got its second sweep in as many nights as they shut out Corban University, 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-15), tonight in Cascade Conference action.
Set one saw the Eagles jump out to a 17-9 capped off by an Anu Akamine kill preceded by two Corban attack errors. A Warrior service error and a kill by NU’s Molly Boyle would make it 21-11 as NU’s final four points would come off of three Corban miscues and another Boyle kill.
In set two, it was Corban taking the lead after NU led early, 4-3. The Warriors would take an 11-9 lead punctuated by a NU attack error. But Northwest would battle back to tie the set at 11-all and would find themselves in the lead 16-14 before a kill by Corban’s Bailey Wold and a bad NU set would tie the set once again at 16-16. The set would swing back and forth until the teams were knotted once again at 21-21, and two straight CU attack errors would put the Eagles in front 23-21. Chandra Baskoro would pull the Warriors to within one, 23-22, with her kill, but an Akamine kill and another Corban attack error would end the set at 25-22.
In the final set, Corban would lead again at 7-5, but Northwest U. would make their move to tie and take the lead, 8-7, on kills by Sarah Stoker and Heather Shulke. The set would see four more ties, but the Eagles would begin to pull away and hold the Warrriors scoreless the remainder of the set after a 15-15 tie. Anu Akamine would find herself involved in the final 10 points of the set as Northwest would win the set 25-15 and post their second straight sweep.
Northwest U. (12-6, 7-4, CCC) was led by Molly Boyle’s 10 kills (.526 hitting avg.). Anu Akamine (Hauula, Hawaii) had 8 kills and 13 digs. Setter Lauryn Ernster (Soph., Bothell, Wash.) had a match high 33 assists and libero Heather Shulke (Soph., Castle Rock, Wash.) had a match high 27 digs for the Eagles as they posted their 12th victory of the season, their most wins since the 2006 season.
Chandra Baskoro would lead Corban (7-6, 5-6 CCC) with 10 kills along with 6 digs. Megan Dees and Karisa Calderon would each finish the match with 11 assists and Bethany Durre led the Warriors with 12 digs. Bailey Wold added 9 kills and 2 service aces.
"This was one of our most consistent matches all season," said Eagle coach Jessie Dietrich. "We spread out our offense which allowed us to use all of our hitters. We have been working on that all season, so it was great to see tonight."
Northwest U. will remain home for a lone contest against in-state rival, Evergreen State College, on October 15. Match time is set for 7 p.m.