In the first set, the Eagles fell behind early, 9-5 but battled back to pull to within one, 11-12 on kills by Lauryn Ernster and Lauren Holtz, but SOU would maintain a slim lead as the Eagles would fight back once again to tie the set at 14-all and take a 16-14 lead on a SOU attack error and ball handling error and a kill by NU's Molly Boyle. The No. 14 Raiders would maintain their poise and tie the set at 16-16 and would re-take the lead for good on a NU on several Eagle miscues and a service ace by Renee Yomtob. SOU would go on to win the close first set, 25-23 capped off by a Leanne Stennett kill.

 

The second set would find SOU taking an early lead and maintaining that lead throughout as the closest the Eagles could come would be three points. The Raiders would win the second set, 25-18.

 

NU would come back in the third set to lead early at 7-3 and pull to within two at 9-7, but a SOU attack error and a service ace by Lauren Holtz would help NU maintain a 12-7 lead. Back would come Southern Oregon as they would rattle off 8 straight points to regain the lead at 15-12 with four points coming off Leanne Stennett kills. Northwest would fight back and get to within one point, 17-16, but SOU would out score the Eagles 4 to 1 to lead 21-17 and pull out the 25-19 and sweep for their 8th win of the season and 5th straight CCC win.

 

For the Eagles (7-4, 2-2 CCC), Anu Akamine led the team with 9 kills and 10 digs. Kacie Simpson added 8 kills and Sarah Stoker and Lauren Holtz each added 7 kills for NU. Lauryn Ernster had 25 assists on the night. Heather Shulke had a match high 29 digs.

 

Southern Oregon (8-2, 5-0 CCC), was led by Leanne Stennett's match high 16 kills and 12 digs. Megan Bartling had 13 kills, while teammate Sarah Holgen contributed 10 kills and 22 defensive digs for the Raiders. Lindsey Stone had a match high 38 assists.

 

NU remains at home to host Oregon Tech tomorrow night and Southern Oregon travels to Olympia to take on the Evergreen State College. Both matches begin at 7 p.m.