OLYMPIA, WA - Sixty-four kills and 86 digs were just the numbers the Northwest University women's volleyball team needed to defeat The Evergreen State College in Olympia tonight. The Geoducks were able to take a single set off the Eagles, but a determined Northwest squad secured another win, 25-21, 24-26, 25-18, 25-17.
Both sides of the net battled back and forth to start the first set. Back-to-back kills from Kaitlyn Mickle forced an Evergreen State timeout. Kalli Budge and Mickle established an offensive mindset for the Eagles coming out of the break, with two more kills to extend the lead 14-9. Evergreen State fought back to get itself back into the set, but a few too many errors gave the Eagles the lead once again. NU kept distance from the Geoducks, and Delaney Sparks secured the first set with a kill, 25-21.
The Eagles led for the majority of the second set. Nevertheless, TESC found itself on top. NU led 9-5 after three consecutive kills from Jaelyn Moeva, Kylie Lunday, and Karste Wright. The Eagles kept their lead until a few Geoduck kills tied the set at 24-24. A Geoduck service ace followed by an Eagle attacking error gave the second set to TESC.
Set number three stayed close until the Eagles pulled away with their largest lead thus far at 17-11. NU continued to connect well with sets, frustrating the Geoduck defense and taking the third set at 25-18.
Once again, the Eagles found momentum after each team reached double digits. Five points in a row gave NU the 14-10 lead, complimented by kills from Lunday, Mickle, and Delaney Sparks. The Eagles kept the Geoducks from creeping any closer, and Sparks sealed the deal with a kill at 25-17.
"We credit Evergreen for a solid game plan," says Head Coach Steve Bain. "They decided to hit it in, stay patient, and play long. We had to reset after the second set and made some defensive adjustments that allowed us to score in transition and control the match."
Mickle and Lunday each collected 13 kills for the night, followed by Sparks with 11.
Morgan Harter's double-double included a season high of 31 assists and 15 digs. Kelsey Moore continues to keep the back court clean with 30 digs tonight.
The Eagles host the Bushnell Beacons on October 20, at 7 pm.
