LA GRANDE, Ore. – Northwest dropped a three-set match to No. 7 Eastern Oregon Saturday, 25-16, 25-22, 25-18.
 
"We battled and did some good things. However, when the sets were on the line, the team with the championship tradition made the plays, and we didn't," said Northwest Coach Steven Bain. "I remain confident, though, in this group and know that we have what it takes to bounce back and be successful." 
 
Hannah Lord led the Eagles with nine kills; Anna Saelens had a pair of aces. Courteney Carr led with 16 assists, with Saelens adding 14.
 
On defense, Hannah Michaels led with 16 digs, and Keann White was in on three blocks.
 
Eastern scored seven consecutive points to get separation in what had been a 12-12 tie in the first set.
 
Down 18-13 in the second set, the Eagles rallied to deadlock the set at 22-22 before the Mountaineers took the final three points to seal the 2-0 lead in sets.
 
EOU broke free for a 7-1 run in the third set to take a 24-17 lead and claimed the match two rallies later.
 
Now 4-8 overall and 2-4 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, the Eagles play at Walla Walla at 11 a.m. Sunday, to finish off their three-state trip.