KIRKLAND, Wash. - The Northwest Christian University volleyball team won a tightly contested match with Northwest University on Friday night and got it done in three sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23. The win guarantees the Beacons their first ever post-season appearance when the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament begins on Tuesday.
Head Coach Mike Gaffaney said, "We stuck to our game plan tonight and executed everything we worked on in preparation for the match to a T. Northwest played very well. Every set was close and every point was hard fought. Our upperclassmen just really stepped up when they needed to most and I am so proud of them."
The Beacons (16-11, 9-8 CCC) were led by senior Tami Brown (pictured) posting a double-double with 17 digs and a match-high 14 kills. Freshman Chandler Gabrio went errorless on the night, dominating the middle with seven kills and a .636 attack percentage. NCU out-blocked the usually wall-esque defense of the Eagles, 9-5. Junior Janel Fetters led the way with five blocks including three solo efforts. Junior Cori Wallace led the team with 20 assists and junior Dana McGowan posted a match-high 25 digs, averaging more than eight per set.
Northwest (13-13, 7-10 CCC) was led by Sarah Stoker with eight kills and four blocks, hitting .471. Rae Ann Haistings added nine kills and Ashton Arbuthnot recorded a match-high 24 assists. The Eagles hit .119 in the match and had eight service aces, led by four from Alivia Johnson.
With the win, NCU jumps ahead of Warner Pacific University (9-9) and into fifth place in the CCC. A win on Saturday at Evergreen will clinch fifth for the Beacons. Northwest has locked up seventh place and will end their year tomorrow night when they host Corban University for senior night.