EUGENE, Ore. – Rebounding from a slow start, the Northwest Christian University volleyball team gave No. 17 Eastern Oregon University all they could handle on Friday night before succumbing in four sets, 25-14, 23-25, 25-23, 25-19.
 
The Beacons (6-7, 1-6 CCC) welcomed sophomore Kasey Campbell (pictured) back to the attack in a big way as the outside hitter, who has been limited to back-row duties for most of the season due to injury, led the team with 14 kills on a team-high 44 swings.  
 
Campbell wasn't enough to answer the dueling attack of EOU's Megan Bunn and Hailee Ackerman who combined for 43 of the Mounties 61 kills. Bunn led all players with 22 kills, adding 12 digs and three blocks while Ackerman hit .409 with 21 kills and eight digs.
 
The Mounties out-blocked the Beacons, 8-6 getting four apiece from Cambree Scott and Nina Bailey while four players secured double-digit digs for Eastern, led by 25 from Kiley McMurtrey. Madison Pilon was credited with a double-double as she posted a match-high 25 assists while 14 digs.
 
The Beacons got another solid performance from Megan Van Marter, collecting eight kills and four blocks while hitting .278 to lead the team. Makenna Northern added 19 assists, 15 digs and two blocks while Kayla Olson led the team with 21 digs.
 
NCU will return to the court at 1:00 pm on Saturday afternoon, taking on No. 12 College of Idaho. Eastern heads to Salem where they will face off against Corban University at 7:30 pm.