EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University volleyball team put the breaks on a four-match losing streak on Saturday, sweeping Warner Pacific College, 25-15, 25-20, 25-23. It was the first conference win of the season for NCU.
 
NCU dominated the match from start to finish, using 52 digs and six blocks to fuel a defensive effort that forced the Knights into a -.048 attack percentage in the match (21 kills, 26 errors). The Beacons hit .196 for their part, thanks to 19 combined kills from their outside hitters.
 
Head Coach Kelly Rosin said, "I am very proud of the girls for responding after the loss to Concordia and finding our level of play again. We definitely stayed mentally strong and that is something the coaching staff has been emphasizing."
 
The Beacons were tough from the outset, quickly jumping ahead 4-1 and rolling from there. Holding a 15-9 advantage, NCU scored 7 of the next eight points to cruise to the win. In her second match since moving from the middle to an Outside Hitter position, junior Chandler Gabrio (pictured) was the pace-setter on both sides of the ball, collecting six kills and three blocks in the set. "Chandler's role has definitely changed for us," said coach Rosin, "and she's had a solid two performances on the outside. She looks like she's comfortable out there and we like what we see."
 
The score was closer in the second set, but the play was not. NCU benefitted from 14 attack errors by the Knights and strolled to victory despite making just seven kills.
 
Chelsea McGowan, who had been quiet for most of the match, came out firing after the game-break, leading the Beacons in the third set with eight kills. Coach Rosin said, "We came out of the break looking to find our middles and Chelsea did an incredible job hitting away from the block in that last set."
 
McGowan finished the night with 11 kills, hitting .333 to lead the Beacons (3-4, 1-3 CCC). Gabrio also put down 11 kills and the opposite side hitter Kayla Ping added eight kills and 12 digs. Alyssa Dorr posted a double-double with a match-high 31 assists along with ten digs while Haley Damian led all players with 13 digs. Cassidy Winters led NCU with four blocks and a pair of service aces.
 
Warner Pacific (4-5, 2-2 CCC) was led by Nicole Lisoski, collecting seven kills. Devan Belshe posted a team-high 12 digs while Kelsey Merritt added 9 digs and a match-best three aces.
 
NCU will return to action next Friday, hitting the road for a CCC match against The College of Idaho. Warner Pacific will return home to play host to No. 16 Southern Oregon University.