PORTLAND, Ore. – Northwest University knocked off Warner Pacific in five sets tonight in Portland, surviving a strong challenge from the home team and putting a dent in the Knights' playoff chances in the process.
 
The Basics

• Score: Northwest 3, Warner Pacific 2 (25-15, 25-23, 24-26, 20-25, 16-14)
• Records: WPC 10-12 (8-11 CCC), NU 17-7 (14-5 CCC)
• Location: C.C. Perry Gym, Portland, Ore.
• The Short Story:  What initially looked like an easy sweep for Northwest turned into 5-set nail biter with the visiting Eagles surviving in five sets on the road. Coupled with Northwest Christian's win at SOU, Warner Pacific now sits a game behind the Beacons in the CCC standings for the 6th and final playoff spot with one to play. Warner Pacific might feel somewhat unfortunate after the loss, as the Knights had five more kills than Northwest in the deciding frame and led 12-10 before faltering at the end. Despite the slow start, WPC ended up leading in most stat categories including kills (65 to 59), hitting percentage (.259 to .242) and digs (74 to 67). The visiting Eagles prevailed thanks to 10 service aces and eight total blocks at the net. WP's Janessa White (20 kills) and Janessa Mast (19 kills) led all attackers, while Jordan Hunter added a season high 13 winners. NU was led by Maddie Jo Johnson and Hannah Hanson with 13 kills each.

How it Happened

• The first set was all Northwest, as WP got off to a slow start and committed eight hitting errors.
• The Knights were better in set two, but Northwest prevailed 25-23 by winning three of the last four points. Lara Linden put down four of her eight kills in the frame for NU.
• The match looked to be a sweep for NU as the Eagles took a 14-11 lead thanks to a Leia Roy ace, but Mast and White hammered out two kills each to help WP tie the set at 17.
• The teams battled to a 24-24 tie, then Mast and Hunter prolonged the match with kills to give WP a 26-24 win.
• WP found their stride in set four, scoring five straight points midway through the frame to take a 17-11 lead.
• Northwest rallied with four straight points, but the home team recovered to win comfortably 25-20. 
• With momentum on their side, Warner Pacific edged in front 12-10 in the deciding set and forced an NU timeout.
• As often happens to teams following of a timeout, WP served into net and the Eagles capitalized with two more points to take a 13-12 lead. 
• After trading points, Northwest triumphed thanks to a kill by Amanda Waterman and a service ace from Sarah Warner.

Notable

• Warner Pacific will honor seniors Janessa White, Brandy Velasquez, and Jourdan Wenzinger tomorrow before the match versus Evergreen