Boxscore

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Northwest Nazarene volleyball team fell 13-25, 19-25, 20-25 at 23rd-ranked Western Washington University on Thursday night as both schools opened Great Northwest Athletic Conference play for 2011 at Sam Carver Gym in Bellingham.

Marlayna Geary had 18 kills and hit for a .417 percentage in Western Washington's victory. Emily Jepsen added 11 kills for the Vikings (3-2) who outhit Northwest Nazarene .297 to .181.

Viking setter Laurie Yearout was credited with 38 assists and Samantha Hutchinson had 18 digs. Kaitlyn Tuholski led Northwest Nazarene (2-3) with eight kills and Haley Abbott had seven.

The Crusaders will now travel to Simon Fraser University and face the Clan on Saturday night in Burnaby, B.C.