Box Score

ST. GEORGE, UTAH — It turned out to be a perfect weekend in Utah for the Crusaders.

Three matches. Three wins.

The Northwest Nazarene volleyball team claimed the tournament title at the Dixie State Invitational by beating Black Hills State (S.D.), 21-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-13 on Saturday morning, wrapping up the opening weekend of the season.

"Black Hills came out and played with a ton of enthusiasm and effort and it took us a little while to match that," NNU head volleyball coach Doug English said. "We eventually did and we are stoked to win this tournament!"

That enthusiasm and effort helped Yellow Jackets (0-3 overall) go on a 6-0 run to finish off the first-set win.

Then the Crusaders (3-0) answered, jumping up 6-2 early in the second set on a Madi Farrell kill, grabbing a 17-10 lead on a Mari Thomas kill, and eventually evening the match as Thomas put away another ball.

All even at 1-1, the third set remained even until a Kendra Bodine kill snapped a 21-21 score and sent NNU on a 4-0 run for the win.

The Crusaders then dominated the final set for the victory, which saw Bodine pound out 17 kills and add 18 digs to lead NNU.

Thomas added 15 kills and 14 digs, and Farrell added 13 kills for the Crusaders, who next play Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday at the GNAC/Pac West Crossover Tournament hosted by the University of California, San Diego.

Hailey Cook dished out 47 assists and had 10 digs in the win, while Shayli Siegfreid had 25 digs and Jacquelyn Johnson added 15 digs for the Crusaders.