Box Score KIRKLAND, Wash. - Northwest University defeated a feisty Evergreen State College 3-1 (25-19, 26-24, 14-25, 25-17) in Cascade Conference play tonight. The win clinches a playoff spot for the Eagles and puts them in third place in the CCC standings with a 12-5 record.
After NU took a two set lead, but just getting by the Geoducks in the second set, 26-24, Evergreen gained some momentum. ESC would continue their hot hand and would come storming back in the third set to breeze through with a 25-14 win after breaking out to a 23-9 lead.
Northwest U recovered and regained the momentum to win the fourth set, 25-17, after breaking the fourth and final tie at 11-11 with a 9-1 run, aided by six straight Geoduck errors, to lead 20-12 as they would go on for the set and match win on a Lara Linden kill at the end.
Linden led Northwest U (15-7, 12-5 CCC) with 12 kills. Teammate Morgan Pilon totaled 30 assists as four players finished the match in double figures in defensive digs: Amanda Waterman (12), Alysanne Van Dyke (12), Leia Roy (11), and Sarah Warner (10). The Eagles totaled 9 service aces for the match with Morgan Pilon leading the way with a match high 5 aces.
For Evergreen (4-19, 3-13 CCC), Natalie Taylor led the Geoducks with a match high 17 kills, 12 digs and 3 service aces. Jordan Porter finished with 11 kills and 12 digs. Kylie Kytan had a match high 40 assists and Megan Breckenridge finished with a match high 20 digs. The Geoducks finished with 9 service aces.
"First, Evergreen plays with great effort and intensity and had us on our heels much of the night with their tough serving," stated Steven Bain, NU head coach. "On our side of the net, it was more about our mental effort than anything physical. I thought we relaxed half way through the second set and Evergreen took full advantage. Credit our ladies though, for fighting through some tough moments to regain control in that fourth set to close out the match."
Northwest U will play their final regular season home match on Saturday hosting Walla Walla University at 7 p.m. It will be Senior Night for five graduating Eagle seniors who will be recognized in a pre-match ceremony.
