Box Score



NAMPA, Idaho — Doug English said the game plan entering Saturday emphasized productive serves.

The Crusaders took heed to his words, delivering seven aces in a three-set sweep of Saint Martin's, 25-16, 25-15, 25-15, to stay alive in their quest to reach the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

The nation's No. 1 blocking team also added 13 more blocks on Saturday and committed just 11 errors to conclude Homecoming Weekend at the Johnson Sports Center.

That's 12 wins in the past 14 matches for the Crusaders (17-9 overall, 14-4 GNAC), who head into the season's final week, starting Tuesday at 7 p.m. against rival and 24^th-ranked Central Washington in a match that looms large for their postseason hopes.

"We're playing really well right now," said NNU third-year coach Doug English, who has won 19 of his past 20 home contests. "We're just trying to win every match we can."
 

NNU senior Jenna Caywood had seven blocks and GNAC assist leader Hailey Cook had 25 assists as the Crusaders stayed unbeaten against Saint Martin's during the reign of English (6-0).

NNU sophomore Madi Farrell entered the weekend tops in the GNAC in blocks and hitting percentage and added nine kills and five blocks to her résumé Saturday.

NNU sophomore Kendra Bodine had 12 kills and senior Linnea Phillips had three aces and eight digs as the Crusaders maintained their hopes of make their second straight NCAA playoff appearance.

NNU needs to reach the top eight of the final West Region Poll, released Monday, Nov. 23, to make the Dec. 3 tournament. As of Saturday, the Crusaders are outside the top 10, trailing Cal Baptist (ranked seventh, 18-6 overall), Dixie State (eighth, 16-8), Point Loma (ninth, 16-9) and Cal State L.A. (18-8).

"We're fired up to play Central," said English, whose team seeks to avenge a Sept. 14 four-set defeat in Ellensburg, Wash. "We've gotten a lot better since then; they've probably gotten a lot better, too."

Caywood added six kills and Elayna Rice had five kills as NNU handed Saint Martin's its 15^th straight loss.

The Crusaders' 11 errors Saturday is their lowest output since Oct. 3 at Western Oregon (eight).

"Our passing was on point tonight," said Farrell, who entered Saturday with a GNAC-best .371 hitting percentage and swatted .583 against the Saints. "Hailey (Cook) put us in really great positions. We all just worked as a unit, and that's when we hit the best."