SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.. – The Northwest Christian University volleyball team opened the 2009 season this weekend with two wins and two losses, claiming third place at the Bethany University Tournament, taking place in Scotts Valley, Calif.

With starting setter Whitney Hoff unable to make the trip, the Beacons began the tournament playing some new formations and running a system which they weren't extremely familiar with, and the effect showed in a three-set loss to William Jessup, 25-10, 25-20, 26-24. Taylor Hatleberg ran the offense from the setter position in a 5/1 offense and finished with 12 assists. Cassie Bishop (pictured) recorded nine kills for NCU and Mercedes LeClaire got her senior season off to a strong start with 16 digs. Kayla Hansen and Amber Kraaz had four blocks each.

The Beacons rebounded on Friday night, grabbing their first victory of the season with a 26-24, 25-21, 25-12 victory over tournament host Bethany University. Head Coach Mike Gaffaney made the switch back to the team's standard 6/2 offense (a double-setter rotation) and it worked flawlessly as the Beacons hit .267 as a team with 33 kills. Hatleberg added eleven assists and senior Tessa Greatwood, filling in as the second setter, added eight assists. Greatwood wasn't done there, however. She also registered ten services aces in the match, breaking her own NCU record. She had twice previously had nine aces in match.

Northwest Christian opened up Saturday action with a tough fought four-set loss to Southwestern College (Arizona), 25-13, 21-25, 25-16, 25-21. Kraaz led the way for the Beacons in the loss, hitting .550 as she registered 11 kills without an error, adding four blocks. Her hitting percentage was the third-best single-match performance in school history. LeClaire continued her strong weekend of passing with another 28 digs.

NCU moved on to play in the third-place game, getting a rematch with Bethany. This time the Beacons needed four games but were still able to dispose of the hosts, winning 25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19. Greatwood continued to come into her own as a setter, registering a career-high 24 assists. Bishop closed out the weekend with a season-best 17 kills, adding ten digs and three blocks. Kraaz had another four blocks as well.

Bishop finished the tournament with 46 kills and 31 digs and was the lone Beacon named to the All-Tournament team. She also moved her career kill total to 263, putting her sixth on the all-time list for NCU and making her the career leader among active players.

The Beacons return to action on Tuesday night as they travel to Salem to take on Willamette University. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 pm.