KIRKLAND, Wash - Northwest University defeated Warner Pacific College, 3-1 (25-15, 25-14, 23-25, 25-13) tonight to secure their hold on fourth place in the Cascade Conference.

In set one, NU would pull out to a 10-6 lead, but Warner Pacific would battle back to within three, 13-10. Northwest would then go on a 10-2 run capped off by a Lauryn Ernster service ace and a kill by Lauren Holtz which would put NU up 23-12. A kill by NU's Kacie Simpson and a WPC attack error would end the set.

Set two would find Northwest jumping out again to an early lead, 12-5, but Warner Pac would whittle away the Eagle lead and get to within 5, 16-11 before NU would rattle off 7 straight points including four kills by NU's Breanna Covey. NU would win the set on Sarah Stoker's kill, putting NU up 2-0 in sets.

The third set was close the entire way and WPC battled to avoid the sweep. There would be twelve ties and numerous lead changes as neither team would give in. With the set tied at 22-all, Warner Pacific would take command on a kill by Marissa Towry, a NU miscue, and a the set winning kill by Samantha Kolakowski. 25-23 Knights.

The Eagles regained their momentum in the final set jumping out to a quick, 10-3 lead. Lauren Holtz's kill would build NU's lead to 16-7 as the eagles would slowly pull away to clinch their 15th win of the season, the most NU victories since 2006.

Breanna Covey (Soph., Arlington, Wash.) led Northwest (15-7, 10-5 CCC) with 14 kills. Senior Lauren Holtz (Brier, Wash.) added 12 kills while adding 20 digs and 2 service aces. Heather Shulke had a match high 25 digs while Kacie Simpson added 10 kills and 3 aces to the Eagles totals. Setter Lauryn Ernster had a match high 36 assists with 12 digs on the night.

Samantha Kolakowski led Warner Pacific (4-17, 2-13 CCC) with 7 kills and 21 digs. Whitney Valenta had 18 assists and Denali Preston recorded 15 digs for the Knights.

~ Story Courtest of NU Sports Information ~