EUGENE, Ore. – There wasn't a ball that sophomore Libero Haley Damian (pictured) couldn't get to on Friday night, but her defensive prowess wasn't enough as the Beacons fell to No. 16 Southern Oregon, 25-19, 25-20, 25-17 in Cascade Collegiate Conference action. The loss eliminated the Beacons from the race for the final CCC playoff spot.
 
Damian posted a personal best 29 digs in the match, breaking her own record for digs in a three-set match. Earlier this season she had 27 in the loss to Southern Oregon on the road. She now has 77 digs in her career against the Raiders, averaging over 6.4 per set.
 
Southern Oregon (23-3, 16-3 CCC) dominated offensively, making just three unforced attacking errors on the night. The team hit .289 with nine errors but six of those came as a result of NCU blocks. The Raiders set the tone in the first set, hitting .340 with just one error.
 
The Raiders we led by Emma Gasman as the CCC's most efficient hitter went without an error, hitting .579 with 11 kills. Corynn Kopra posted match-highs with 15 kills and three blocks while Lauren McGowne led all players with 39 assists. Ashlyn Flynn recorded the team's lead for digs with 14.
 
NCU (14-12, 7-12 CCC) was led by Chandler Gabrio, hitting .438 with nine kills, three aces and two blocks. On the other side of the Middle Blocker rotation, Cassidy Winters added eight kills and a match-high four blocks. Laurie Salness registered 29 assists while Kayla Ping scored seven kills and nine digs.
 
The Beacons will close out the season on Saturday, playing host to Oregon Tech at 5:00 pm. The Owls will need a win on Saturday, or a loss by Warner Pacific to clinch the final post-season berth.
 
Southern Oregon sits in the driver's seat to claim the second first-round bye for the CCC tournament. They can do so with a victory over Corban University in Salem tomorrow at 5:00 pm.