BILLINGS, Mont. – The Northwest Nazarene volleyball team had one of its best defensive matches in recent weeks, which led to a big offensive night and a sweep.

The Nighthawks swept Montana State Billings 25-20, 25-14, 25-22 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

"We dug really, really well tonight," NNU coach Doug English said. We had 70 digs in three sets, which is a lot. We served great. We killed a ton of balls. If we are going to hit .240 and get 70 digs, we are going to win a lot of matches."

NNU, which lost in five sets to MSUB in Nampa earlier this season, ended a three-match losing streak with the win.

"It's a big relief to win in three," English said. "Lexi (Ward) made a huge stuff block at the end on an overpass. Little plays like … (Kayla) Sale made a good dig in a situation where an outside was hitting a sharp ball across and she was in the right place. We were making little plays so it's a big relief."

In the third set, the Nighthawks (11-12 overall, 7-9 GNAC) trailed 15-12 before going on a 9-2 run highlighted by three Brooke Foster kills.

The Nighthawks eventually led by as many as five before the Yellowjackets pulled within 23-22. That's when Ward stuffed a Billings player and a Foster kill on the next point sent everyone home early.

Sale had 20 digs and seven assists, while Megan Nelson had 34 assists, 11 digs and two aces. Abbey Blum finished with 12 kills, nine digs, three aces and hit .435 for the match, while Foster had 14 kills and 16 digs. Natalie Sullivan added 10 kills and Caroline McMahon had nine digs.

NNU is off until next Thursday at 8 p.m. MST when it plays at Western Oregon.