LEWISTON, Idaho– The Northwest Christian University volleyball team suffered their first loss of the season on Friday, but not before a victory in their opener at the Red Lion Invitational hosted by Lewis-Clark State College.
 
The Beacons ran their record to 4-0 as they knocked off the University of Montana-Western in their afternoon clash, 25-21, 25-16, 25-23. The sweep belonged to junior Claire Salness who hit .341 and collected 18 kills, the second-highest total ever for a Beacon in a three-set match.
 
Senior Kayla Olson added 21 digs and a pair of aces while Natalie Downes collected seven kills and six blocks. Makenna Northern registered a double-double with 37 assists and ten digs. Taylor Gould made her season debut for the Beacons with eight kills.  
 
Montana-Western (3-4) was led by Jessie Weber, collecting eight kills and 17 digs.
 
NCU returned for the prime-time clash with tourney host LC State and despite battling through three close sets, were unable to get over the hump as they fell 26-24, 25-22, 25-22.
 
Salness again led the offense with ten kills, making just one attack error on the night and adding nine digs. Olson owned 15 digs while Northern posted 23 assists and ten digs.
 
The Warriors (4-4) had their offense going strong as Josilyn Remick and Jess Ruffing combined for 39 assists. Brooke Kaawa was the recipient of a match-high 14 of those passes while Tori Edwards added nine kills and two blocks.
 
The Beacons (5-1) had their second-longest season-opening win streak in history come to an end but will look to start another on Saturday with two more matches in the Red Lion Invite. They will face off against Montana-Western again before closing out against Canada's Columbia Bible College.