KIRKLAND, Wash. – Advantage Eagles. In a key match with major post-season implications, Northwest University proved victorious on Friday night, knocking off Northwest Christian in three sets, 25-21, 25-17, 25-23. The victory moves NU a half-game ahead of the Beacons for sixth-place.
 
NCU (8-11, 5-10 CCC) hit just .071 in the match, in part to being out-blocked 7-1. Northwest (13-14, 6-10) hit .290 and held a 41-30 edge in kills.
 
In the first set, NU broke out to an early 11-6 lead. Two straight service aces by Alyssa Dorr (pictured) brought the Beacons back to within 13-12, but NU went on a 4-2 run aided by three NCU hitting errors. Another service ace, this time compliments of Sydney Rothenbush, cut into the Eagle lead late, making it 21-20, but NCU score four of the final five points to take the win.
 
A tight second set had the Eagles leading just 11-10 when a 10-3 run pulled the home team well out in front.
 
Northwest Christian pulled out all the stops in the third set, battling through nine ties as they desperately attempted to extend the match. The Beacons took a late 21-20 lead after a Chandler Gabrio kill, but the Eagles fought back, claiming the 25-23 win and the match.
 
NU was led by the duo of Rae Ann Haistings and Hannah Hanson, combining to score 22 kills while hitting .485. Brooke Riddle added 18 assists while Leia Roy led the team with ten digs.
 
The Beacons were led by Gabrio's 15 kills with the junior adding nine digs and three service aces. Dorr posted a double-double as she registered match-highs with 25 assists and ten digs along with three aces of her own.
 
Northwest Christian will return to action on Saturday afternoon, traveling to face Evergreen at 3 p.m. Northwest stays home to battle Corban, who were winners over ESC on Friday. The Beacons are a half-game behind NU for sixth-place and the final playoff spot for the CCC post-season tournament. NCU has three matches left on the schedule while NU closes out their campaign with Corban and then Evergreen next weekend.