EUGENE, Ore. – The No. 11-ranked Eastern Oregon University volleyball team put a damper on NCU's senior night on Saturday, sweeping the Beacons 25-18, 25-23, 25-21.

Some of the damper was removed later that night when the Beacons learned that Oregon Tech lost to Evergreen State in five sets, securing the final playoff spot for the Beacons. NCU will return to the CCC championship tournament for the first time since 2013, making it the first trip for any current Beacon player including four-year seniors Sydney Rothenbush and Haley Damian.
 
EOU (20-7, 14-4 CCC) won with one of their least-efficient attacks of the season, hitting .164 in the match. They held a 40-37 kill advantage over the Beacons, while out-blocking the home side 8-6.
 
The Beacons (15-8, 10-8) held early leads in each of the three sets, but were unable to get in an offensive rhythm against the top-ranked Mounties. NCU was poised to take the second set with a lead of 23-17 when EOU rattled-off eight consecutive points to steal the momentum which they used to seal the set, and eventually, the game.
 
Amanda Miller and Madisen Garlie led the Mounties offensive attack with nine kills apiece. Sarah Carpenter had 20 digs to go along with three digs and a kill. EOU had three back-row players surpass ten digs in Kiley McMurtrey, Malia Mills, and Holli Mullins.
 
Megan Van Marter had match-high ten kills for the Beacons, swinging at a .259 clip. Maci Beierle had 31 assists, six assists, and two kills in the match. Damian and Rothenbush each had 20 digs in their last home-game for NCU. Claire Salness put forth a well-rounded performance with 12 digs and seven kills. Hitter Carissa Allen had her best conference match of the season, downing five kills, all in the first set.
 
NCU finishes off their regular-season on the road next week, first traveling to Klamath Falls to take on Oregon Tech on Friday, November 3 at 7 p.m.