Box Score TURLOCK, Calif. – The Northwest Nazarene volleyball team rallied from two sets down to defeat Sonoma State in five sets Thursday at the D2 West Region Showcase hosted by Stanislaus State.

The Nighthawks (2-2) defeated the Seawolves 18-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-8.

"The difference was the energy level and the focus and the determination in sets 3, 4 and 5 than in 1 and 2," NNU coach Doug English said. "We started being more aggressive in our attacking which led to us scoring more points. Our girls did a good job of being better each set."

Abbey Blum's 19 kills and 13 digs led the Nighthawks, while Brooke Foster added 14 kills and 17 digs and Tayler Markland and Natalie Sullivan each had 11 kills. Markland had a team-high .526 hitting percentage.

"Abbey had huge sets in 3, 4 and 5," English said. "She was a stud for us at the end of the match and is someone we rely on to get a lot of kills. As we went through the match, we did a better job of getting Abbey and Tayler involved which helped our offense to get even better."

Megan Nelson had 49 assists and seven digs, while Caroline McMahon and Brooke Foster add three service aces.

Last season, the Nighthawks were 1-6 in five-set matches and 0-1 this year. So, to rally from a two-set hole seemed to inspire confidence in the team Thursday.

"Sonoma is a good team and one that is historically very good," English said. "To be down 0-1 and to come back and win, it's a huge relief and a monkey off our back."

NNU plays Stanislaus State at 9 p.m. MDT later Thursday.