NAMPA, IDAHO (Sept. 27) – One missed opportunity after the next was the downfall of the Seattle Pacific University volleyball team Saturday night as Northwest Nazarene delivered an 0-3 sweep in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup. The final match score was 36-34, 30-28, 30-22 in favor of Northwest Nazarene who played the match on their home floor.

The Falcons (2-4, 9-4), who fell in consecutive games for the first time this season, droped their second straight as the Crusaders (2-3, 5-9) worked their way to the middle of the conference standings with tonight’s victory.

Seattle Pacific served at 29-27 with an opportunity to take the all-important first game of the match. Three straight unanswered points took the wind out of the Falcons sails and into Northwest’s as the Crusaders once again rallied from game point to take three straight points and the game 36-34.

In game two, the Falcons went up 23-15 before falling victim to an 11-2 Crusader run that put SPU on their heels. Game three had a similar tone as the Falcons held a hearty 19-17 lead and appeared to be mounting a match comeback. Northwest squelched the rally with a 13-2 run that sealed the sweep and match victory.

Jessica Bauder (Jr., Richland, Wa./Col. Basin) led the Falcons on offense with 18 kills and from the back line with 14 digs. Equally impressive in the front was Katie Ralph (So., Port Orchard, Wa./S. Kitsap) who put together a solid 10 kill, .444 hitting percentage outing. Chelsey Myers (So., Minden, Nv./Douglas) added another bright spot for the Falcons with three service aces, nine kills, and 12 digs.

The Falcons return to Brougham Pavilion next Friday to host Central Washington at 7 p.m.