KIRKLAND, Wash. – Leading two sets to one and on the verge of their first win since September 1, NCU dropped a heartbreaker to Northwest University on Friday night 25-19, 19-25, 16-25, 25-15, 15-10.
 
Northwest led the entire first set after breaking out to an early 16-8 lead. NCU outscored the Eagles 10-3 to make it a 19-18 set before four straight attack errors and a kill by Sydney Schlect gave the set to NU, 25-19.
 
The momentum then swung in favor of the Beacons and Northwest Christian took set two with a strong service and defensive game. Northwest tied the set twice in the middle of the set, but each time NCU answered the challenge to maintain their lead for the set victory.
 
Northwest Christian carried their momentum over to the third set and with the score tied at 12-12, NCU took the lead for good aided by kills by Carissa Allen (pictured) and Taylor Burnett as the Beacons went ahead 15-13. Back-to-back kills ended the set, giving the Beacons the 2-1 match lead.
 
The pendulum again swung the other way with Northwest coming out energized for the fourth set and claiming an early 12-7 lead.  The Eagles maintained an advantage the rest of the way and another Waterman kill and three straight errors by the Beacons would send the match into a fifth and deciding set.
 
Northwest dominated the final set, taking an 11-3 lead and never looking back, winning the marathon on a Dakota Adams kill.
 
Three Northwest (9-5, 5-3 CCC) players combined for 31 kills led by Adams' 11 kills. Amanda Waterman and Schlect added 10 kills each with Waterman adding 17 digs for the double-double. Morgan Pilon had a match-high 43 assists and Emmaline Stockton contribute 23 digs for the Eagles.
 
Chandler Gabrio led the way for Northwest Christian (7-7, 0-7 CCC) with a match-high 12 kills and five service aces. Laurie Salness had 36 assists for the Beacons. NCU had four players in double figures in digs led by Kendall Bergsten who finished with 21 and Sydney Rothenbush who tallied 16 digs. Cassidy Winters ended the night with four blocks.
 
The Beacons return to action on Saturday night, rtaveling to face Evergreen at 5 p.m.