NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene volleyball put together a strong all-around performance on Thursday night, sweeping Montana State Billings 3-0 with set scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-19. With the win, the Nighthawks improve to 10-5 overall and 4-4 in GNAC play.
NNU came out strong in the opening set, quickly establishing a lead behind a balanced offensive attack.
Abby Black set the tone early with several kills, while
Maddy Hellem and
Kayci Spray also found success at the net. The Nighthawks stretched their advantage to 9-5 before MSUB answered with a short run to pull within three.
NNU continued to control the pace, using strong play at the net to build a 16-10 advantage.
Madison Cheney and
Jenna Holm teamed up for a block, and Hellem added another kill as the Nighthawks maintained their cushion. MSUB continued to battle late, but NNU closed the set on a 5-1 run.
Hailey Cheney delivered a service ace for set point before an MSUB attack error gave NNU the 25-16 victory.
The second set was more tightly contested early, with MSUB taking a 4-1 lead before NNU quickly responded.
Madison Cheney and
Jenna Holm helped the Nighthawks pull even at 4-4, but the Yellowjackets regained a four-point advantage at 8-4.
NNU steadily chipped away at the deficit, with kills from Cheney, Spray and Hellem helping bring the Nighthawks back within one at 10-9. A
Hailey Cheney kill tied the set at 11-11, and the teams continued to trade points until 14-14.
From there, NNU took control. Black sparked a four-point run with a kill, while Hellem and Cheney continued to make plays at the net. The Nighthawks pushed ahead 20-15 and never looked back. NNU reached set point at 24-18 before an MSUB attack error closed out the 25-18 win and gave the Nighthawks a 2-0 match lead.
NNU carried that momentum into the third set, opening with a 2-0 advantage. MSUB answered to tie the set at 2-2, but the Nighthawks quickly regained control and built a 7-4 lead behind strong defensive play at the net from Holm.
Madison Cheney and Spray helped NNU extend its lead to 10-5 before MSUB fought back to make it 10-7. The Nighthawks continued to answer, with
Lily Kinloch and
Tatum Swapp providing key kills to keep NNU in front.
Swapp made an impact in the middle of the set with several kills, helping NNU maintain a 14-12 advantage. Hellem and Spray then helped the Nighthawks build an 18-14 lead, and NNU continued to separate itself late.
With the Nighthawks leading 22-16, Cheney and Kinloch combined for three straight points to put NNU at match point, 24-18. MSUB extended the set one more point, but a block from Holm and
Addison Lynn forced an attack error to give NNU the 25-19 victory and complete the sweep.
The Nighthawks now hit the road, traveling to Ellensburg, Washington, to take on Central Washington on Saturday, Oct. 10. First serve is set for 1 p.m. Pacific time.
