ASHLAND, Ore. – After two weeks of nothing but the thrill of victory, the NCU volleyball team finally experienced the agony of defeat for the first time this weekend, dropping a pair of Cascade Collegiate Conference matches on the road.
 
On Friday NCU dropped a four-setter to Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls, 25-17, 23-25, 25-21, 25-14.  The Beacons out-blocked the Owls 8-7, but every other statistic seemed to go OIT's way as they outhit the Beacons with a .151 attack percentage to a season-low .059 for NCU. Tech also posted ten service aces and had 81 digs. NCU recorded eight aces and 67 digs.
 
"I have to give credit to Oregon Tech's block," said Head Coach Kelly Pitre. "It was very strong and very present against our hitters and their Libero made it difficult for our hitters to score. OIT had multiple player hitting above .200 and we only had one. We made a lot of errors in the front row and at the service line and we shot ourselves in the foot. As much as I want to have just one opponent across the net, tonight we had two, having to battle ourselves."
 
Cassidy Winters was a bright spot for the Beacons, collecting nine kills and four blocks. Kayla Ping and Chandler Gabrio added eight kills each with Ping also picking up three blocks. Marsha Poischbeg collected 32 assists and Sydney Rothenbush led all players with 25 digs.
 
Oregon Tech was led by a double-double from Kelsey Sampson, scoring 15 kills and 15 digs. Whitney Webster led all players with five blocks and Waverly Green collected 36 assists.
 
NCU turned around the next evening, challenged with facing No. 16 Southern Oregon University. The Raiders claimed the victory in sweeping fashion, 25-16, 25-18, 25-17. Carissa Allen made her return to the court after missing the first week of the season with an ankle injury and she made it a good one, leading the Beacons with seven kills, hitting. .385. Poischbeg added 27 more assists while Rothenbush led the team with 12 digs.
 
The Beacons (7-2, 0-2 CCC) will come back to Eugene this week to host their first matches of the season this weekend. NCU will host No. 14 College of Idaho on Friday night before a visit from No. 6 Eastern Oregon on Saturday.