EUGENE, Ore. – A three-match winning streak came to an end for the Northwest Christian University volleyball team on Friday afternoon by Northwest University, 25-21, 25-19, 18-25, 24-26, 15-9.

Trailing two-sets-to-none after hitting exactly .000 from the floor, the Beacons had a strong comeback after the intermission, winning two straight sets to force a fifth and deciding set. Northwest, however, dominated play in the final set, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and never looking back.

“I credit the girls for bringing it back to force a fifth set,” said Head Coach Mike Gaffaney, “but you're not going to beat anybody hitting zeroes, and we played in the fifth like we had in the first two and it just wasn't enough today.”

Northwest Christian (11-13, 4-11 CCC) was led by Brooke Stribling, putting together a 20/20 night as she had a match-high 21 kills to go along with a team-best 26 digs. NCU, in fact, had three players' top 20 digs as the Beacons out-dug the Eagles, 113-80 on the afternoon. Libero Mercedes LeClaire added 21 and setter Whitney Hoff also had a 20/20 day with 22 digs and 27 assists. Hoff and Stribling also had three service aces apiece as NCU held an 11-5 advantage in aces.

Northwest (9-14, 6-10 CCC) was led by Madeleine Krahn's 14 kills. The Eagles dominated on the block, out-dueling the Beacons 12-5 in the category. Krahn had five, Carleigh Newman had six and Kacie Simpson totaled seven to lead the way. Three players had double-doubles for NU; Lauren Holtz with 13 digs and ten kills, Anu Akamine with 11 kills and ten digs and Libby Hellwig with 12 digs and a match-high 38 assists.

With the victory, Northwest evened the season series at 1-1 after the Beacons swept the Eagles in Kirkland, Wash. Last month. Coach Gaffaney said, “They were certainly a different team tonight than the one we saw in Washington.”

Northwest Christian will be back in action tomorrow as they play host to The Evergreen State University at 7:00 pm.