EUGENE, Ore. – Warner Pacific battled back to force a fifth set on Friday night, but it would be the NCU Beacons that would prove to be victorious in a Cascade Collegiate Conference volleyball match, winning 16-25, 25-15, 25-15, 24-25, 15-9.
After a seven-match losing skid to open CCC play, NCU has now won two straight in the conference, moving to 9-7 overall and 2-7 in the Cascade. Warner Pacific drops to 4-8, 3-6 in conference with the loss.
Senior Chandler Gabrio (pictured) provided many exciting moments for the Beacons, none bigger than her 50th and 51st career solo blocks, giving her the NCU all-time record in the category. She picked up her 51st solo block in the fourth set, moving ahead of Cotie Howard, who played for the Beacons from 2007-2008.
Gabrio finished the night with three total blocks, two aces and a team-high 15 kills as she hit .379. As a team the Beacons hit just .109 but it was enough to stop a Knight team that committed 40 unforced errors and hit .032.
Kayla Ping added ten kills while Kendall Bergsten and Cassidy Winters had nine kills apiece. Laurie Salness did a little of everything on Friday, collecting 33 assists, 18 digs, four kills, four service aces and two blocks. She also distributed the ball very evenly in the match with five different players seeing between 26-35 targets. Haley Damian also had 18 digs while Sydney Rothenbush tallied 13.
Warner Pacific was led by Janessa White and her 15 kills, along with a ten-kill performance by Grace Rivers. Kealia Rosa led all players with 36 assists, Brandy Velasquez posted a match-high 26 digs and Nicole Kincade tied two Beacon players for the evening lead of three blocks.
Northwest Christian will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, hosting Multnomah University (1-9) at 3:00 pm. Warner Pacific travels to Salem to take on Corban University (7-8) at 5:00 pm.