EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University volleyball team made their annual three-states/three-matches/three-days trek this weekend, with mixed results. After dropping a pair of matches to highly ranked conference opponents, the Beacons closed out the trip with a 3-0 sweep over Walla Walla University.

The weekend kicked off on Friday night with a sweep at the hands of Eastern Oregon University, ranked #22 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) coach's poll, 25-15, 25-15, 25-14. Despite the outcome, head coach Mike Gaffaney was proud of his teams' performance. “They played better tonight than they have, and I am pleased with that,” said Gaffaney. “I know the girls were disappointed and had hopes of coming in for the upset, but Eastern is a team with a powerhouse offense and they showed that tonight.”

The Mounties (8-5, 4-2 CCC) showed their prowess to the tune of a .330 hitting percentage, accented by a 14 kill, 2 error performance in the third and final set. All-Conference player Grace Deboodt led the way with 11 kills, hitting .417. Reigning CCC Libero of the Week Sareena Simpson had 16 digs for EOU and Melanie Ceciliani added 7 kills, eight digs and four blocks. The Beacons were led by Cassie Bishop, who had seven kills. Mercedes LeClaire added 16 digs while Amber Kraaz and Tessa Greatwood had two blocks apiece.

On Saturday the Beacons traveled to Caldwell, Idaho to take on defending CCC champion College of Idaho. The Coyotes swept NCU, 25-22, 25-17, 25-14. College of Idaho, who is receiving votes in the NAIA coaches poll, was without two regular starters but still had enough bullets to shoot down the efforts of NCU.

The Beacons made strong challenges in both the first and second sets. In the first set the teams were tied 11-11 before a four-point push for C of I, keyed by back-to-back aces by Kaylyn Hayashikawa, gave the hosts the lead for good. The Beacons held a 13-12 lead in the second set, but the 'Yotes regroups and answered with 13 of the final 17 points to notch the win. The Coyotes went on a 10-2 spurt to open the third set and led the rest of the way.

Naomi Reimer led C of I (7-6, 4-2 CCC) with 12 kills and 16 assists while Whitney Owen recorded a match-high 14 digs. Jessie Link poured in seven blocks as the Coyotes out-blocked NCU 8-2. Hayashikawa finished with four service aces for the hosts. Northwest Christian was led by Brooke Stribling, recording 11 kills. Greatwood led the team with six digs while Kraaz and Charlie Van Loon each assisted on a pair of blocks.

The third day of the trip saw NCU head west from Caldwell to Walla Walla, facing WWU and claiming a 25-23, 25-14, 25-22 victory. Stribling once again led the NCU offense with 14 kills and freshman Setter Whitney Hoff recorded match-highs with 19 assists and ten digs.

The Beacons (5-8, 0-6 CCC) will return to Cascade Collegiate Conference action this Friday when they play host to Oregon Tech. That match will be followed on Saturday night with a meeting against Southern Oregon.