EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University volleyball team hit the road for the first time this weekend, traveling to Portland to play in the Lewis & Clark College Invitational. The Beacons walked away with one victory in three matches as they continue to build in preparation for the Cascade Collegiate Conference season.

The Beacons were able to get a view of two CCC foes, playing both Eastern Oregon and Evergreen State on Saturday in non-conference action. The morning session brought a 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-16) loss to EOU, which was followed up by a victorious sweep of Evergreen State in the afternoon (3-0; 25-21, 25-17, 25-17).

Junior Tessa Greatwood led the way for the Beacons against the EOU Mounties, collecting six kills as she hit .455 in the game. She added six digs and three blocks for NCU. Junior Mercedes LeClaire grabbed 15 digs for the Northwest Christian defense.

The Beacons got another strong performance out of Greatwood in the victory over Evergreen State as she had six kills and two more blocks. Amber Kraaz led the charge with nine kills, adding three blocks. In all, the Beacon defense had 13 blocks, led by a strong six-block performance for freshman Kalyssa Koontz.

The Beacons had opened the tournament on Friday afternoon, falling to the host Pioneers, 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-21). Greatwood and Cotie Howard had ten kills apiece in the match with Howard adding a team-high 16 digs and three blocks. Junior Setter Alex Jee saw her first action of the season, collecting a strong 16 assists in the 6-2 offense.

“Alex is working her way back into the mix and despite the loss, she should be happy with her performance,” said head coach Mike Gaffaney. “She had the chance to start running some plays and begin to gel with her hitters, and that is going to help her long term.”

The Beacons (2-2) will already jump into Cascade Conference action this weekend as they head back to Portland for a Friday-Saturday slate against Cascade and Warner Pacific. Coach Gaffaney said, “We are still a work in progress, but it will be good to jump into conference play.”