PORTLAND, Ore. – First year head coach Nels Norquist enjoyed his first outing on the sideline for Warner Pacific, and watched his revamped Knight volleyball team defeat New Hope Christian in three sets 25-11, 25-18, 25-15.

The Knights pounded out 51 kills on the night, and the opportunities on attack were spread through the roster. Six different players for WP swung for at least five kills each. WPC built an early lead of 10-3 in set one, but allowed the visiting Deacons to draw with 15-10 after a Knight attack error. With the score 17-11 in favor of WPC, senior Amanda Richards stepped to the service line and closed out the frame with a jump serve that produced a pair of aces.

It was a little closer on the scoreboard in set two, as NHCC managed to hit for eight kills led by Chalina Siharath with three. WPC led throughout but saw the visitors climb to within 19-15 after a Knight miscue. WP ended the set however with kills from Rylie Engelson, Shayla Dahl, and Kristina Naff.

Set three was also close, at least in the early going. A Siharath kill drew New Hope within one at 10-9, and was followed by a WP error that tied the score. At that point the Knights surged with five straight points capped by a Mikaela Lisoski kill and were not threatened again.

Marchelle Bostic led all players with nine kills for Warner Pacific, while Rylie Engelson and Nicole Lisoski added eight kills each. WP hit for a .461 percentage and served for nine total aces. Karina Akaka-Falou led the Deacons with six kills.

Warner Pacific will travel to Spokane this weekend to participate in the CCC/Frontier Challenge, taking on Northwest Christian, Montana-Western, and Montana Tech.