PORTLAND, Ore. – Northwest University used efficient hitting and a strong block at the net to defeat Warner Pacific in straight sets tonight at C.C. Perry Gym.
 
The host Knights (6-13, 6-13 CCC) put down four more kills than NU on the night, but committed 25 attacking errors compared to just eight for the Eagles. Many of those miscues were stuffs at the net, with Northwest (20-7, 14-5 CCC) racking up 18 total blocks.
 
WPC performed well in stretches, building sizeable leads in sets two and three. In set two, the Knights led 16-11 but could not close out the frame thanks to strong serving from Morgan Pilon who toed the line and secured the set with a 6-0 run.
 
In set three, WP edged out to an 11-7 lead but surrendered a 7-1 run – again thanks to tough serving from Pilon. NU edged ahead and seemed ready to take the match with a 24-20 lead. The Knights held off match point five times in an attempt to prolong the contest, but Mattie Jo Johnson scored a kill to take the set 27-25.
 
Janessa Mast led WPC and all players with 16 kills. Melisa Ljuca added nine kills, while Kealia Rosa touched up 37 assists.
 
Keann White paced NU with 12 kills and five blocks. Alysanne Van Dyke anchored the back line with 19 digs.