EUGENE, Ore.  – Junior Makenna Northern became just the second Beacon ever to collect 3000 assists on Friday night, but the milestone was overshadowed by the third straight loss for Bushnell, falling to Northwest University in five sets, 25-18, 25-22, 20-25, 20-25, 15-11.
 
The Eagles (12-12, 11-8 CCC) hit .261 in the match and seemed to have an answer at every turn, keeping the Bushnell defense on its heels. It was a close match statistically, but the pendulum swung one too many times for the Beacons as NU jumped out to what proved to be an insurmountable 7-1 lead in set five.
 
Bushnell (17-6, 13-6) was led by the powerful swing of Shay Coons, collecting 19 kills as she hit .240. She added three of the Beacons ten service aces, as did Jackie Harmon who added ten digs. Halley Neuman, Payton Jones, and Sierra Jenkins each had four blocks for the Beacons with Neumann adding 15 kills. Callie Wilkins added a match-high 23 digs.
 
Northern finished with 50 assists, putting her at 3022 in her career. It was the seventh match of her career with at least 50, and it leaves her just 152 assists away from the Bushnell all-time record, set by Cori Wallace in 2013.
 
Northwest was led by the setting of Anna Saelens who collected a match-high 54 assists, adding nine digs and three blocks. Her best target was Abi Broussard who went off for 19 kills and seven blocks. She had no attack errors for a .633 hitting percentage. Megan Horne added 14 kills and 12 digs and Susan Bailey posted 12 kills. Cristina Lorenz led the Eagles with 17 digs.
 
The Beacons will be back in action on Saturday at 5:00 pm, taking on an Evergreen team that comes in off an upset win over No. 7 Corban on Friday. Before the final home match of the regular season, Bushnell will honor seniors Camille Guerrero, Jackie Harmon, and Callie Wilkins.