EUGENE, Ore. – NCU's conference opener was a big one on Friday night as they swept away the Owls from Oregon Tech, 25-13, 25-23, 25-17.
 
Head Coach Kelly Pitre said, "When you begin conference play, you don't really know your opponent outside of what you see in preseason stats and results. Our focus tonight stayed on our side of the net and how we are responding to one another. We have been working on cleaning up the little things and I am very proud of how we protected our home court. This win helps set the tone and shows the work all of us have put in to change the culture of NCU Volleyball.
 
The Beacons started things off on the right foot, using a 9-1 run early in the first set to blow past OIT. Laurie Salness was the catalyst during the streak, posting five service aces. The Owls also committed ten unforced errors and the Beacons collected just nine kills.
 
The Owls responded in set two and built an early lead. A kill from Faryn Case made it 17-13 but the Beacons eventually rallied to tie the set a 19-19 and closed it out with three kills from Taylor Burnett over the final four points.
 
The Beacons again controlled the action in the third set, hitting .256 to close out the victory. NCU never trailed and after allowing OIT to tie the set at 6-6, scored seven straight points to put the match out of reach.
 
NCU (2-4, 1-0 CCC) was led by Kendall Bergsten who finished with 12 kills and ten digs, hitting .370 to lead all players. Burnett also posted a double-double with 11 kills and 14 digs. Maci Beierle (pictured) scored a double-double of her own with 31 assists and ten digs and Haley Damian finished the night with a match-best 18 digs.
 
Oregon Tech (4-3, 0-1) was led by Kelsey Sampson with ten kills and eight digs. Waverly Green recorded 18 assists and Bella Foss registered 17 digs. As a team the Owls hit .091 but out-blocked NCU 4-3.
 
The Beacons will be back in action on Saturday, playing host to No. 18 Southern Oregon University. The Raiders lost in four sets on Friday night to Corban University.