KIRKLAND – Northwest racked up 50 kills and took a convincing 3-0 match from Oregon Tech Friday, 25-16, 25-17, 25-16.
 
Hannah Lord led NU with 13 kills, Sarah Howlett pounded out 10, while Keann White and Abi Broussard got nine each. Anna Saelens had 23 assists, and Courteney Carr added 18.
 
Hannah Michaels served up a pair of aces.
 
Defensively, Northwest got three blocks from Kylie Szczepanski, and three Eagles reached double figures in digs. Cristina Hegarty led with 16, followed by Tatiana Ensz with 15, and Michaels with 11.
 
"Going into this match, we knew that Oregon Tech's offense was a force to be reckoned with, so we challenged our team to serve their identity from start to finish," said NU Head Coach Steven Bain. "That effort was a key factor in the match, as we were able to force Tech into tough swings, which allowed us to convert in transition. As a staff, we were also pleased with the team's ability to value each point and stay in each moment.  Overall, it was a strong effort by the Eagles, and we are already looking forward to the next opportunity to compete."
 
Melody Edwards and Kaylin Talonen had four kills each to lead the Owls.
 
With the first set tied at 3-3, the Eagles took control with a 7-1 run in which Sarah Howlett got three kills.
 
NU led by as many as 10 points in the set before White ended it with a kill.
 
Down 9-7 in the second set, Northwest went on an 8-2 spree, featuring two kills each by Broussard and Lord. That run gave the Eagles a 15-11 lead.
 
The Owls got within 17-14, but NU scored the next seven points for a 24-14 lead.
 
After finding themselves behind again in the third set, 7-6, the Eagles dashed off four straight points to start a 10-2 run for a 16-9 lead. Northwest led by as many as 10 points before a Howlett kill ended an impressive night the right way.
 
The win evens NU's overall record at 8-8, while improving to 6-4 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. Oregon Tech dips to 11-8 overall and 4-5 in the CCC.
 
The Eagles return to action Saturday against 10^th-ranked Southern Oregon at 7 p.m. in the Kristi Brodin Pavilion.