KLAMATH FALLS, OR - The Northwest University women's volleyball team open up its longest road trip of the season with an upset loss to Oregon Tech in five sets, 18-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-11.

The first three points of the match went in favor of the Owls, with two kills and a service ace. A tough start for the Eagles forced an NU timeout at 6-1. The Owls aced the Eagles four times in first set alone, finding holes in the back line. The Owl's held onto their cushion and secured the first set win at 25-18 after an Eagle ball handling error. 

The Eagles first lead of the match took place at the start of the second set at 2-1 after a kill from Kylie Lunday. Back-to-back Tech blocks gave the Owls a 8-5 lead, but a kill from Kalli Budge and two more from Susana Bailey tied it up at 8-8. The Owls went on a 4-1 run to force another NU timeout. A big block from Bailey and Budge kept the Eagles alive at 17-18 but they struggled to feed off the energy, losing the set at 20-25.

Lunday opened up set three, finding home on Tech's side of the court. Later on, Kartse Wright landed her fifth kill of the match, tying the set at 5-5, followed by a kill from Bailey to take the lead. Back-to-back blocks from Lunday and Bailey extended the Eagle's lead. Mickle's eighth kill of the night forced a Tech timeout at 16-9. Soon after, the sophomore outside reached double digit kills at at 20-10. The Owl snuck back in but a block from Lunday and Morgan Harter secured a third set win for the Eagles at 25-20. 

Both teams battled back and forth until the largest lead thus far was taken by the Eagles at 12-8 after three consecutive points. The Owls went on a 6-2 run, tying the set at 14-14. NU pulled away with help from two Lunday kills and two Owl service errors.The Eagles kept their lead until three points for the Owls made it a one point set, Tech trailing 21-22. Mickle's 15th kill of the night landed the Eagles a fourth set win at 25-22.

A fifth set fight made up of alternating leads until a couple of Eagle attacking errors and an Owl ace put Tech ahead 9-6. Two connecting swings from Mickle put the Eagles right on the Owl's heels at 9-10, forcing a Tech timeout. The Owls came out of the break with a 3-1 run, leading to a 15-11 fifth set win. 

Head Coach Steve Bains says, "I credit the Eagles for fighting back to force a fifth set but Oregon Tech deserves more because they made the plays when the match was on the line in that fifth set and we could not."

Mickle was one kill short of tying her season high, with a total of 19. Lunday was next in line with 12.

Morgan Harter recorded a season and career high of 43 assists for the Eagles.

On the defensive side, Kelsey Moore led with 25 digs. Budge and Bailey each totaled four blocks. 

The Eagles take on the Raiders of Southern Oregon tomorrow night at 7 p.m. in Ashland, OR.