Northwest Nazarene University Athletics

Nighthawks Fall in Five-Set Battle to Saint Martin’s

11/8/2025 6:35:00 PM | By: Anna Carter

Box Score LACEY, Washington – The NNU volleyball team traveled to Washington on Saturday the 8th to compete against the Saint Martin Saint's. In an exciting five set match the Nighthawks were unable to overtake the Saint's and fell 3-2, with set scores of: 25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, and 15-11.

In the opening set, the Nighthawks came out strong, riding high from their earlier week win against Western Oregon. Finding momentum from the service line, the NNU squad jumped to a quick 12-6 lead over the Saints. SMU found their way back into the game and tied it at 18-18 with a block from Sophie Fast and Zoey Crimin. Refusing to give up the lead, the Nighthawks responded with back-to-back kills from Madison Cheney and Hailey Cheney. With that offensive spark, NNU closed out the first set 25-20.

Feeling the energy from their home court, the Saints rallied in the second set. A kill by Zoey Crimin tied things at 7-7 before SMU built up a seven-point lead. The Nighthawks fought back and closed the gap to within two when Abby Black put down a kill, but the Saints held on to take the second set 25-22.

With the match tied 1-1, the intensity in Marcus Pavilion was high as both teams traded points. It wasn't until late in the third set that the Nighthawks' front line exploded, fueled by key kills from Black, Madi Smith, and Cheney. SMU made one final push to come within one at 24-23, but Black sealed the deal with a kill to give NNU the set win.

The Nighthawks carried that energy into the fourth set and looked poised to close out the match. However, the Saints refused to go down easily, rallying to tie the set at 19-19. Both teams battled to gain an edge, with kills from Black, Smith, Cheney, and Morgan Wilding. Despite the fight, the Saints prevailed 25-22 to force a decisive fifth set.

In the final frame, NNU came out fast with a 6-2 lead highlighted by a service ace from Wilding, prompting an SMU timeout. Coming out of the break, the Saints regrouped and reclaimed momentum with aggressive offense and consistency behind the service line, taking an 8-6 lead. Despite a final push from the Nighthawks, SMU closed out the set 15-11 and took the match 3-2.

Abby Black dominated on the net for the Nighthawks recording 23 kills. Morgan Wilding recorded 39 assists and 17 digs. The Nighthawks libero Kayci Spray also held down the NNU's defensive line with 21 digs.

The Nighthawks will be back on their home court next week as they go into their final home games of the 2025 season. Their first match is scheduled for Thursday, November, 13th against Alaska Anchorage at 7:00 pm.

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