EUGENE, Ore. – The 2010 Northwest Christian University volleyball season got underway this weekend as the Beacons traveled to Lewiston, Idaho to play in the Lewis-Clark State College Tournament. NCU walked away with a 1-3 record, and a huge shot in the arm with a victory over Cascade Conference foe Warner Pacific.

The tournament began on Friday with a tough draw, playing the host LC State, ranked #15 in the NAIA. The Beacons went down in straight sets 25-9, 25-11, 25-10. Cassie Bishop led the way for NCU, leading the team with six kills, seven digs and one solo block. Freshman Setter Cori Wallace began her career with 13 assists.

Friday's afternoon contest put the Beacons up against CCC foe Northwest, and the Eagles also topped Northwest Christian in straight sets 25-18, 25-22, 25-19. The Beacons improved offensively, doubling their kill total, and defensively, jumping from one block to eight in the match.

Freshman Right Side Janel Fetters led the way with nine kills, adding eight digs and two blocks. Wallace led the team with 24 assists and ten digs. Junior Middle Blocker Danielle Nance added six kills for the Beacons with a .286 hitting percentage, to go along with five blocks (two solo). Bishop also had six kills along with nine digs and two blocks.

NCU rebounded strong on Saturday, taking down Warner Pacific in four sets 18-25, 25-10, 29-27, 25-16. Everything was clicking for the Beacons defensively, grabbing another eight blocks and posting 76 digs, while holding the Knights to a .032 attack percentage. After being swept in both CCC games with WPC last season, it was the Beacons first win in the series since October 17, 2008. The Beacons are now 2-7 in the all-time series.

Freshman Middle Blocker Chelsie Joyce had her first breakthrough game, hitting .353 with a team-high ten kills, along with five blocks. Wallace hit .333, led the team with 16 digs, added three service aces and in what should become a recurring theme this season, tied the NCU single-match record with 31 assists. As the first setter in school history to run a full-time 5/1 rotation, Wallace is expected to routinely break that mark this year.

The Beacons were dominant at the service line, posting 12 aces total, including the three from Wallace, three more from Bishop and four from Fetters who also had five kills, 9 digs and a match-high six blocks. Bishop added ten kills and had 13 digs while freshman Libero Dana Clark chipped in 15 digs.

NCU posted another strong effort in their final match, despite losing to #25 Carroll College in three sets, 25-17, 29-27, 25-18. Freshman Outside Hitter Maren Mansfield led the team with nine kills. Joyce added six kills, hitting .333, along with three blocks. Wallace led the team with 22 assists and 16 digs.

Northwest Christian will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to face Linfield at 7:00 pm.