Box Score

McMINNVILLE, Ore. – In the first ever meeting between the schools, the Northwest Christian University volleyball team got the best of Linfield College on Wednesday, topping the Wildcats in four sets, 22-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-15.

Things started out rough in the first set as the Beacons managed just six kills while posting eleven attack errors, but things quickly turned around after that. The Beacons posted 14 kills in the second set and cruised to the four set win from there.

Head Coach Mike Gaffaney said, “This was a characteristic win for this year's team. Our freshmen are continuing to get better each time they play together and they are starting to gel really well. The key for us was being able to finish a match strong, which we did not do very often last year.”

It was a strong overall performance for the Beacons, highlighted by ten service aces and ten blocks. Three players had a team high seven kills each. Among them were freshmen Maren Mansfield and Chelsie Joyce and junior Danielle Nance (pictured). Mansfield added nine digs, Joyce had four solo blocks and Nance collected five blocks, four of which were solo.

Cassie Bishop added just four kills but led the team with 15 digs and Janel Fetters added 12 digs and a team-high four service aces. Dana Clark came off the bench to add one three aces of her own. CCC Setter of the Week Cori Wallace had another solid performance with eight digs, an ace, and 23 assists. “Cori played outstanding defense tonight. She was all over the court, getting to every ball,” said Gaffaney. “She really rallies this team and can carry them on her shoulders when she needs to.”

The Beacons (2-3) jump right into Cascade Collegiate Conference action this weekend, traveling to face The College of Idaho on Friday night, followed by a meeting with Eastern Oregon on Saturday. NCU is a combined 1-12 against the two schools, with their only win coming against EOU in 2007. Both games are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. local starts.