SEATTLE, Wash. — The Northwest Nazarene volleyball team battled No. 25 Seattle Pacific University on Saturday afternoon, but the Falcons used strong offensive stretches in each set to earn a 3-0 victory over the Nighthawks. NNU fell 25-14, 25-14 and 25-22, moving to 13-9 overall and 7-8 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
Seattle Pacific established control early in the opening set, building a 6-2 lead before the Nighthawks worked to close the gap.
Jenna Holm and
Addison Lynn recorded kills to help NNU stay within reach, but the Falcons continued to find openings at the net. Makayla Hickman and Megan Omlid helped SPU extend its advantage to 17-9, and the Falcons maintained their momentum down the stretch. Charlotte Hastings delivered a service ace to close the set, giving Seattle Pacific a 25-14 win and a 1-0 match lead.
The Falcons carried that momentum into the second set, jumping ahead 7-2 behind a strong stretch of attacking from Hickman and Omlid. NNU responded with kills from
Lily Kinloch,
Abby Black and
Kayci Spray, but Seattle Pacific continued to apply pressure and stretched its lead to 17-8. The Nighthawks showed signs of a late push as
Maddy Hellem and other NNU attackers found the floor, but the Falcons held firm. An NNU attack error gave Seattle Pacific another 25-14 set victory and put the Nighthawks behind 2-0.
NNU responded with its strongest stretch of the match in the third set, opening with a 4-1 advantage and trading points with the Falcons through the early stages.
Madison Cheney, Hellem and
Morgan Wilding helped the Nighthawks maintain their pace as the teams continued to exchange points. NNU held an 14-11 lead midway through the set, but Seattle Pacific began to find its rhythm and chipped away at the deficit.
The Falcons eventually moved in front and built a 21-15 advantage, putting the Nighthawks in a difficult position. NNU continued to fight, getting kills from Hellem and
Lexi Douthit while working to close the gap. The Nighthawks pulled within two at 23-21, keeping the set within reach, but Seattle Pacific answered to reach match point. After NNU earned one more point, the Falcons closed out the set 25-22 to complete the sweep.
The Nighthawks return home next week as Northwest Nazarene celebrates Homecoming at Johnson Sports Center. NNU will host No. 17 Central Washington on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 pm.
