LA GRANDE, Ore. – For the second straight night, the No. 24 Eastern Oregon University volleyball swept its opponents. Tonight, EOU swept Northwest Christian University, 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-14).
Stefani Sorensen led the way for the Mountaineers with a game-high 11 kills. Taylor Stewart followed with 10 kills. Dana McGowan recorded a game-high 17 digs for Northwest Christian.
Eastern Oregon was lock in a close set to start set one. The Beacons held a 6-5 lead over EOU, however this is when Eastern Oregon turned it around in set one. The Mountaineers scored the next seven points to take a 12-6 lead and did not look back in set one. Northwest Christian closed the Mountaineers lead to two points, but could not get over the seven point run and EOU took set one 25-19.
The Mountaineers came out swinging in set two, as they scored six of the first eight points. The Beacons would not go away as they scored three straight points, to cut EOU’s lead to one, 6-5. With the set tied at 11-11, EOU went on another 11-1 run to take an 22-12 lead over Northwest Christian. The Beacons scored three more points but EOU came away with the second set, 25-15, and a 2-0 lead over Northwest Christian.
The Beacons and Mountaineers were in a back and forth battle in set three. With the score tied at 7-7, EOU scored the next three points, taken a 10-7 lead. However, the Beacons battled right back and kept it to a one point game, 10-9. EOU went on an 11-2 run to blow open the set, 21-11. Northwest Christian could not come back and EOU took the third set, 25-14, and the match over the Beacons.
EOU returns to action next week when they play in the CCC Conference Tournament. The Mountaineers received a bye and advanced to the semifinals with a second place conference finish. Northwest Christian has made the tournament as the No. 5 seed and will play at Southern Oregon on Tuesday night.