KIRKLAND – Northwest lost a heartbreaker to Evergreen State Tuesday night, 3-2, falling 21-25, 25-21, 26-28, 25-21, 15-9.
 
The match featured strong momentum swings, and Evergreen State carried the charge from a fourth-set win into the decisive set. The Geoducks got off to a 5-2 start and scored the final three points to collect the match.
 
"Both teams battled and were very competitive, but it came down to who was making plays at the end," said NU Head Coach Steven Bain. "Evergreen State made those plays and earned the win. We will use this experience in a positive way, learn from it, and continue to improve. We will make the changes we need to make to be better the next time we compete."
 
Lily Stewart powered ESC with 20 kills.
 
NU got a double-double from Megan Horne with 14 kills and 15 digs. Susana Bailey led the Eagles with 17 kills. Abigail Broussard and Reece Denney added 10 each. Anna Saelens had 55 assists.
 
NU produced 10 aces, with Cristina Lorenz, Denney, Broussard, and Horne getting two each, but the Eagles also had 11 service errors.
 
Horn and Azaria Johnson were in on three blocks each. Lorenz led the back row with 18 digs.
 
Now 5-7 overall and 4-3 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, the Eagles host Corban on Friday and Bushnell on Saturday in a pair of 7 p.m. matches.