LEWISTON, Idaho – With all four newcomers still on campus for this weekend's new student orientation, a short-handed NCU volleyball team held their own against host Lewis-Clark State in the opening match of the Red Lion Classic, falling in three sets, 25-10, 25-16, 25-20.
 
"Today we focus on our preseason goals," said head coach Kelly Rosin. "We are striving to stay emotionally consistent, keep the errors low and making our opponent play the ball. We continued to improve and put some different strategies in place each set that seemed to help."
 
The Beacons (0-1) opened the season hitting just .023 as LCSC collected seven blocks and dug 38 balls. The Warriors offense was clicking to the tune of .424, more than doubling the kill total of NCU.
 
Senior Kendall Bergsten (pictured) got her final campaign off on a solid footing, leading the Beacons with eight kills and seven digs. Laurie Salness added 14 assists, five digs and two aces while Sydney Rothenbush picked up six digs.
 
The Warriors (1-0), currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll, was led by Kennadie Clute who had 13 kills without an error, hitting .591. Amber Hillestad added 22 assists and Natalie Batiste led all players with 15 digs.
 
NCU returns to the court at 3:00 pm to take on Olivet Nazarene University, a team also receiving votes in the NAIA poll. Rosin said, "The teams we are seeing this weekend are top quality teams and that is a great preparation for the tough Cascade Collegiate Conference."