EUGENE, Ore. – The 2008 Northwest Christian University volleyball season came to an end on Saturday night with a 25-22, 25-20, 25-15 loss to Eastern Oregon University. Seniors Brooke Stribling and Cotie Howard combined for 19 kills and 20 digs in their final game.

The Beacons (12-17, 5-15 CCC) were led by Stribling who had a double-double with 11 kills and 14 digs. In the process, she broke her own single-season kill record and she ends her career as the all-time leader in kills with 870. Howard added eight kills and six digs and was in on NCU's only block of the night, assisting with Amber Kraaz.

Eastern Oregon out-blocked the Beacons 8-1 in the match and had four players total four blocks. Leading the way was Grace DeBoodt, collecting 17 kills, 14 digs and the four blocks. Jessica Lea also had a double-double with 16 digs and 19 assists and Sareena Simpson tallied a match-high 28 digs.

Mercedes LeClaire led the Beacons with 19 digs and Tessa Greatwood added 14, along with three service aces. That brought her season total to 42, averaging .46 per set. She finished the season ranked second individually in the Cascade Conference, but led a Northwest Christian effort that topped the CCC, averaging nearly two aces per set.

Cassie Bishop also had three aces for NCU along with eight blocks and six kills and Whitney Hoff closed out her record breaking freshman season with a match-high 24 assists. Hoff finished her first year with 555 assists.

With the victory, Eastern Oregon clinched fourth place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference and they will host a first-round game in the upcoming CCC post-season tournament. The Beacons matched third ninth place finish from last season.