Box Score ARCATA, Calif. – Northwest Nazarene volleyball continued its strong start to the 2026 season Thursday at the Redwood Coast Volleyball Classic, sweeping Cal Poly Humboldt, 3-0, at Lumberjack Arena. With the victory, the Nighthawks improved to 5-0 on the season, marking the program's best start since 2017. NNU used a strong start and consistent play throughout the match to take the opening set in a tight finish before controlling the final two sets to secure the sweep.

Northwest Nazarene and Cal Poly Humboldt traded points throughout the opening set, with neither team able to pull away early. The Nighthawks held a narrow 11-10 lead before Humboldt briefly took control, building a 19-17 advantage. NNU answered with a 4-0 run to reclaim the lead at 21-19, highlighted by kills from Hailey Cheney and Maddy Hellem.

Humboldt responded to even the score at 23-23, but NNU regained the advantage after a Humboldt attack error. With the set tied again at 24-24, the Nighthawks held their composure down the stretch. Abby Black delivered a kill to give NNU set point at 26-25 before Addison Lynn followed with a service ace, sealing the 27-25 victory and giving NNU a 1-0 lead.

Northwest Nazarene came out strong in the second set, jumping out to an early 6-3 lead behind kills from Abby Black and Madison Cheney. The Nighthawks continued to build their advantage, extending the lead to 12-6 before Humboldt trimmed the deficit to 12-8.

NNU responded with another strong stretch, using kills from Maddy Hellem, Jenna Holm and Lily Kinloch to push the lead to 19-13. The Nighthawks continued to control the set late, opening up a 23-14 advantage after another Hellem kill. Humboldt attempted to rally, scoring five straight points to cut the deficit to 24-19, but NNU remained composed and closed out the set 25-19 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Northwest Nazarene dominated the third set from the opening point, jumping out to a 6-2 lead and forcing Humboldt to call an early timeout. The Nighthawks continued to apply pressure, extending their advantage to 11-3 behind kills from Abby Black, Madison Cheney and Maddy Hellem and a strong defensive effort at the net.

Humboldt struggled to find an answer as NNU pushed the lead to 18-5 before the Lumberjacks began to chip away. The Nighthawks maintained a comfortable cushion throughout the remainder of the set, leading 22-15 before Humboldt scored three straight points to make it 22-18. NNU quickly shut down the comeback attempt, getting an attack error from Humboldt and a kill from McKay Kasper to finish the set 25-18 and complete the 3-0 sweep.

The Nighthawks, now 5-0 on the season and off to their best start since 2017, will continue play at the Redwood Coast Volleyball Classic on Friday. NNU will face Nebraska-Kearney at 10 a.m. PT in Arcata, Calif.