BUTTE, Mont. – Northwest challenged Carroll and Montana Tech Saturday but left the Big Sky Classic with two losses Saturday.
 
Northwest lost to Carroll, 3-1 (15-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-18) before falling to MTU in three sets (25-20, 25-21, 25-18).
 
"We faced two solid opponents today, each of whom challenged us in different ways," said NU Head Coach Steven Bain. "Carroll was terrific at the net and forced us into a number of tough swings that we were unable to convert. Montana Tech's serving pressure kept us out of our system, and they were certainly good enough to capitalize on our inability to side out. Nonetheless, we saw tangible improvement in our young team, and despite the losses, their growth mindset and willingness to make changes did not waver. I'm confident we will improve quickly, and the team is committed to that path as well."
 
In the loss to Carroll, Abigail Broussard led the Eagles with 18 kills. She also had 12 digs and three aces. Jill Botsford added 11 kills. Anna Saelens lifted 38 assists for the match.
 
Defensively, Cristina Lorenz picked up 19 digs to go with 12 each by Broussard and Kelsey Cummins. Azaria Johnson was in on four blocks, and Megan Horne had three.
 
In the MTU match, Broussard led with 13 kills, with Horne adding six behind 24 assists from Saelens. The Eagles had six service aces, led by Broussard with two.
 
Lorenz claimed 15 digs to lead the back row, while Broussard came up with 13. Susana Bailey and Saelens knocked down three blocks each with Johnson adding two.
 
The Eagles, 0-4, scrimmage  at Seattle Pacific on Tuesday in a 5 p.m. match. Fans are permitted but must abide by mask mandates.