PORTLAND, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University volleyball team needed four sets but they got the job done on Saturday evening, closing out the first half of the Cascade Collegiate Conference season by defeating Multnomah University, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-21.
 
NCU (6-10, 4-6 CCC) led in almost all statistical categories, out-hitting the Lions .197 to .139, and out-blocking their opponent 8-4. The Beacons also had 79 digs with four different players in double figures.
 
Head Coach Kelly Pitre said, "Multnomah is a good team. They kept their offense very fast and we had to adjust. We set a few goals after our loss to Warner Pacific last night and we made improvements that were evident on the court in hitting percentage and serve receive. This was a good way for us to end the first half of conference and a good win on the road."
 
Leading the way for NCU once again was Taylor Burnett, posting her second straight double-double as she owned ten kills and a team-best 23 digs. Cassidy Winters (pictured) also had another strong night, this time hitting .500 with 12 kills and three blocks. Keri Schwarz had a hand in five blocks and also put down ten kills.
 
Maci Beierle added 35 assists and three aces and Kendall Bergsten collected seven kills and 15 digs. The backline duo of Haley Damian and Sydney Rothenbush combined for 27 digs in the victory.
 
Multnomah (5-11, 1-9) was led by Patty Batoon with 15 kills and four blocks. Marissa Rhodes added 23 assists and 11 digs while leading all players with four aces. Miranda Halverson had a double-double as well, posting 12 kills and 11 digs and Kiana Miller led all players with 25 digs.
 
The Beacons will return home next weekend and will begin the second half of the CCC schedule against No. 6 Eastern Oregon (15-1, 10-0) at 7 p.m. The Beacons are currently sitting in seventh place in the CCC, one game out of the top-six.