EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University volleyball team dropped their fourth match in a row on Friday night, losing to Concordia University in three sets, 25-22, 25-13, 25-20 in the Morse Event Center.
 
Facing a team currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll, the Beacons came into the match looking to use their notorious service attack to try and gain an edge. The Cavaliers, however, proved to be the kryptonite to NCU's superman serve, allowing just one ace to the Beacons all night.
 
An even first set featured 12 ties and six lead changes. NCU grabbed the first significant lead as they were ahead 9-5 to start the night. The Cavaliers chipped away and it was soon knotted at 12-12. The score would be tied on each of the next eight points as well with a NCU service error creating a 20-20 score. Kayla Ping recorded a kill to give NCU a 21-20 lead, but Concordia went on to score five of the last six points to claim victory, icing it with an ace from Brianna Hogan.
 
The second set looked to be headed in the same direction with six early ties and an 8-8 score after another Ping kill. Concordia would then rattle off a 13-3 run to pull away, allowing just five NCU kills in the set.
 
The score again remained close throughout the third and final set, eventually seeing a Katie Reeder kill bring the Beacons to within two, 17-15. Five straight points for CU put it out of reach, eventually winning the night with a Jenessa Taylor dump set kill.
 
Concordia (6-4, 3-0 CCC) was led off the bench by Brenna Huwe, hitting .400 on the outside with a match-high 15 kills. Ashley Jibby added eight kills while Lindsey Dorsey contributed six with just one error for a .417 clip. As a team, the Cavs hit .295, collected 8 saves and ended five Beacon rallies with blocks. Taylor led all players with 33 assists and Shantel Gritsch posted 16 digs for CU.
 
The Beacons were led by Chandler Gabrio, bouncing back from a tough non-conference outing against Lewis & Clark on Wednesday to hit .333 with 12 kills and just two errors. Cassidy Winters collected four blocks and Haley Damian led the team with 13 digs. Alyssa Dorr finished with 24 assists and six digs.
 
NCU will be looking to avoid their first five-match losing streak since 2010 on Saturday night when Warner Pacific pays a visit to the Morse Event Center at 5:00 pm.