EOU Sweeps Eagles in Battle of Top 25 Teams
KIRKLAND, Wash. – No. 25 Northwest University fell to the second NAIA Top 25 team in two nights as No. 13 Eastern Oregon swept the Eagles 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-22) in Cascade Collegiate Conference play in the NU Pavilion.
In the first set, it appeared the Eagles would take a 1-0 set lead in the match as they took a 23-18 lead after breaking a 17-17 tie. But, the Mountaineers would regain momentum and trailing 24-21 would score the final five points of the set including a Megan Bunn kill and NU attack error.
Set two would be all Eastern Oregon as they would lead 11-7 after breaking an early 4-4 tie and increase their lead to 18-9 after another Megan Bunn kill. NU would not challenge the Mountaineers the remainder of the set as they would go on to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
The final set would be a battle as the teams would tie eight times. After an EOU attack error would tie the set at 21-21, the Mounties would outscore the Eagles 5-1 capped off by Tatiana Enze’s to win the set and the match.
Northwest U (9-5, 3-3 CCC) hit just .098 as a team tonight as Sarah Warner led the Eagles with 9 kills. Morgan Pilon had 16 assists while Amanda Waterman and Alysanne Van Dyke each had 19 digs.
Amanda Miller led Eastern Oregon (11-4, 5-1 CCC) with 15 kills and hit .244 for the night. Madison Pilon had a match high 34 assists while Kiley McMurtrey led the Mountaineers with 17 kills.
“Our ladies played with great energy the last two nights so I know they are disappointed with the outcome,” said Steven Bain, NU Eagle coach. “The fact is, we faced another quality opponent tonight in Eastern Oregon and they made the plays when the sets were on the line and we didn't. Tough lessons to learn but this group has a growth mindset and I know they will continue to work hard and make the changes that will allow us to be successful as we continue the season.”