NAMPA, Idaho - Northwest Nazarene volleyball delivered a statement performance Thursday night, taking down Simon Fraser in straight sets to earn a hard-fought 3-0 sweep. The Nighthawks came up with big plays in key moments throughout the match, overcoming multiple Red Leafs runs and closing out each set with confidence to secure the upset, 25-18, 25-23, 25-23.
NNU found itself in an early 2-0 hole in the opening set before quickly settling in and turning the momentum. After tying the score at 4-4, the Nighthawks caught fire, putting together a strong run to build a 9-4 advantage.
Abby Black helped fuel the offense with a pair of kills, while
Madison Cheney added a key point to keep NNU in front. The Nighthawks continued to apply pressure as the set progressed, with contributions from Black,
Maddy Hellem and the Cheney sisters keeping the Red Leafs at bay. Simon Fraser made a push late, closing the gap to 19-17, but NNU answered with six of the next seven points.
Whitleigh Walsh delivered a service ace and a kill during the closing stretch, and a block from Black and
Hailey Cheney followed by a Cheney service ace sealed the 25-18 opening-set win.
The Nighthawks carried that momentum into the second set, again responding after Simon Fraser struck first. NNU quickly flipped a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead, using a block from Black and
Jenna Holm before
Hailey Cheney added to the run. The offense continued to find its rhythm, with kills from Black,
Kayci Spray and
Lexi Douthit helping push the Nighthawks ahead 15-8. Simon Fraser refused to go quietly, however, putting together a seven-point run to erase the NNU advantage and even the score at 15-15. The teams traded points through an 18-18 tie before the Red Leafs briefly moved in front. NNU stayed composed and answered with a late surge, taking control at the net and getting key swings from Douthit. The Nighthawks scored five straight points to turn a 22-19 deficit into a 24-22 lead, with Douthit delivering multiple kills and a service ace during the run. Simon Fraser managed one more point, but a kill from Cheney closed out the set 25-23 and gave NNU a 2-0 match advantage.
With the sweep within reach, the Nighthawks came out strong in the third set, building an early 5-3 lead and continuing to find answers at the net. Black, Hellem and Douthit each delivered important kills, while a block from Hellem and
Hailey Cheney helped NNU maintain its advantage. Simon Fraser battled back and eventually evened the score at 13-13 before briefly taking a 14-13 lead. NNU responded immediately, with a kill from Holm tying the set and a block from Spray putting the Nighthawks back in front. A Spray kill and a Simon Fraser error helped NNU stretch the lead to 17-14.
The Red Leafs continued to push, eventually pulling even at 18-18 and keeping the finish tight. NNU regained a one-point edge, but Simon Fraser answered to tie the set again at 20-20. The Nighthawks came up with another timely run, using a block from Cheney and Wilding, a Simon Fraser attack error and another block from Wilding and Holm to move ahead 23-20. The Red Leafs responded with three straight points to even the score at 23-23, setting up a tense finish.
Morgan Wilding delivered a kill to put NNU at match point, and
Madison Cheney and Holm teamed up for the final block to secure the 25-23 set win and complete the sweep.
The Nighthawks will look to carry that momentum into the weekend when they return to Johnson Sports Center on Saturday, Nov. 14, to host Western Washington. First serve is set for 5 p.m. in Nampa.
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