EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University volleyball team pushed the No. 6 ranked Eastern Oregon University volleyball team on Friday night, but the Mounties hung on for the sweep anyway, moving their winning streak to 18 straight matches.
The Mounties (18-1, 11-0 CCC) who haven’t lost since a season-opening sweep by No. 2 Westmont, hit .217 in the match and out-blocked the Beacons 8-2 in the match. NCU (6-11, 4-7) led with five service aces but were plagued by 27 unforced errors.
The first set was all EOU with the Mounties holding Northwest Christian to just five kills and seven errors for a negative hitting percentage.
The Beacons were able to shake off that sluggish start and took control in set two. The home team built up a 7-2 lead and were able to cling to the advantage until late in the set as Eastern took a 20-19 lead. The teams traded points and NCU claimed the first set-point of the match after an attack error by the Mounties made it 24-23.
Eastern scored the next three points to avoid dropping a set for just the third time during their winning streak.
The Beacons again owned the early advantage in the third set and had their biggest lead at 10-5 on a Kendall Bergsten kill. Eastern rallied, however, tying the game at 15-15. They went up 17-15 and never trailed again.
Eastern was led by Amanda Miller (pictured) and Kasaundra Tuma who each had 13 kills and four blocks. Tuma hit .480 as she committed just one error. Rachelle Chamberlain added a double-double with 35 assists and 11 digs and Holli Mullins led all players with 16 digs.
The Beacons were led by Taylor Burnett, collecting 11 kills and nine digs. Maci Beierle posted 24 assists and six digs and Haley Damian led the team with 11 digs. Cassidy Winters and Laurie Salness registered two service aces apiece to lead the match.
EOU returns to action on Saturday, traveling to Salem to take on No. 22 Corban in the NAIA Match of the Week at 7 p.m. NCU stays home to take on The College of Idaho at 5 p.m.