LA GRANDE, Ore. – Facing their third straight top-25 opponent, the NCU volleyball team was swept in three on Saturday evening, falling to No. 6 Eastern Oregon 25-16, 25-10, 25-19.
 
The Mounties (11-1, 4-0 Cascade Collegiate Conference) wasted little time before showing why they are the top ranked team in the CCC, forcing the Beacons into 11 hitting errors and a negative attack percentage while producing just one error of their own in the first set.
 
NCU (3-7, 1-3 CCC) was never really able to get things going, finishing the night with 22 unforced errors. The lone bright spot for the Beacons was at the service line where they collected seven aces including four from sophomore Laurie Salness (pictured).
 
Kendall Bergsten led the offense with six kills, adding a pair of aces. Taylor Burnett had five kills to go with a team-leading eight digs. Salness led the team with 15 assists and Keri Schwarz collected four blocks.
 
Amanda Miller led the EOU attack with 12 kills while Madisen Garlie hit .533 with nine kills. Rachelle Chamberlain owned 34 assists and Holli Mullins dug a match-best 18 digs.
 
The Beacons will come home on Tuesday night for a game against rival Corban University. It will be the fourth straight conference match against a ranked opponent. The Warriors are currently No. 24 but are expected to move up in the new rankings when they are announced on Tuesday. The opening serve for the game is scheduled for 7 p.m.