NCU Slips Past WPC

10/11/2014 8:01:42 AM

PORTLAND, Ore. – Despite racking up a season high 70 kills, Warner Pacific dropped a five-set heartbreaker to Northwest Christian inside C.C. Perry Gym tonight. 
 
The Basics

• Score: Northwest Christian 3, Warner Pacific 2 (25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 23-25, 13-15))
• Records: NCU (6-11, 3-7 CCC), WPC (4-11, 2-7 CCC)
• Location: C.C. Perry Gym, Portland, Ore.
• The Short Story:  The host Knights grabbed a 2-0 set lead and seemed poised to complete a sweep, but the Beacons beat the odds and stormed back for the 3-2 victory at C.C. Perry Gym. NCU earned the victory despite hitting for 15 less kills than Warner Pacific over the course of the match.

How It Happened

• The tone for the match was set from the first serve, as the closely fought first set saw 13 tie scores and four lead changes.
• WP trailed 18-16 late in set one, but reeled off five straight points to take the lead for good.
• The Knights led from first serve in set two, by as many as seven points.
• NCU rallied to draw to within 22-20, but kills from Nicole Lisoski and Nicole Kincaide ended the threat.
• The sweep appeared to be in hand for Warner Pacific after a pair of aces from Kelsey Merritt gave the hosts a 22-19 lead in set three. 
• It wasn't to be. NCU scored outscored WP 6-1 to take the from 25-23.
• Set four was a near repeat of the previous, but this time Warner Pacific led 20-18 before faltering.
• The deciding set was as close as the others, but this time NCU opened up the small lead late in the frame (13-10).
• The Knights tied the score with kills from Janessa White and Devan Belshe, and a Beacon error.
• NCU completed the comeback thanks to back-to-back kills from Chelsea McGowan.

Notable

• Janessa White had 11 kills in set one and finished with a career high 25.
• Chandler Gabrio led NCU with 22 kills versus just three errors.
• WPC had more kills in every set.