NU Opens Big Sky Play with Sweep of DSU 8/26/2016 3:27:52 PM BUTTE, Mont. – Northwest University got off to a good start at the Big Sky Challenge as they swept Dickinson State, 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-16) in their opening match of the tournament at the Butte Civic Center. With solid defense and serving, the Eagles held Dickinson State to .000 hitting as a team a totaled 10 team service aces led by Morgan Pilon's match high four for the match. DSU came out strong in the first set taking a 12-8 lead after a kill by Sydney Bentz's kill and an attack error by the Eagles. But, a Pilon service ace and an error by the Bluehawks would tie the score at 12-12. Another Pilon ace would give NU the 13-12 lead which they would maintain the remainder of the set. Nine straight Eagle points would put Northwest U up 17-12. Four lead changes would mark the second set as the two teams would battle it out. With Northwest U leading 14-12, a 6-0 run by DSU would put them ahead 18-14. Back would come NU as they would rattle off to tie the set at 20-20 after a Keann White ace and Mattie Jo Johnson's kill. DSU would regain the lead 22-20, but a late surge and 5 straight points would give the Eagles the set win punctuated with kills by Amanda Waterman and Dakota Adams. DSU would start the third set with a 7-5 lead, but NU would outscore DSU once again, 4-0 to take a 9-7 lead. Dickinson State would tie the score at 9-9, but outscore the Bluehawks 16-7 to take the set and match. Mattie Jo Johnson led Northwest U (RV 1-1) with 10 kills and a .529 hitting percentage. Morgan Pilon had a match high 29 assists to go along with her four service aces. Senior Leia Roy tied for match high honors with 19 digs with Amanda Waterman adding 12. NU had 7 team blocks. Dickinson State (0-1) was led by Sydney Bentz's 9 kills. Danielle led the team with 10 assists and Shaylee Singleton had 19 defensive digs. Northwest U plays one more match tonight when they play Great Falls at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center.