Northwest Nazarene women’s volleyball fought back from a two-set deficit to force a deciding fifth frame on Thursday night, but ultimately fell 3-2 to Montana State Billings. The Nighthawks pushed the match to the absolute limit, losing the final set 15-13 after a grueling battle in Billings, Montana.
This result leaves Northwest Nazarene with a 13-8 overall record and a 7-7 standing in GNAC play. For a team capable of erasing a 2-0 hole, the loss is a reminder of the result in this conference matchup.
A Tale of Two Halves in Billings
The evening began with a deceptive lead for the Nighthawks. NNU jumped out to an early 4-0 advantage in the first set. However, the Yellowjackets of MSUB methodically chipped away at that lead. The set devolved into a seesaw battle that remained deadlocked at 24-24 before MSUB found the opening they needed to close it out 27-25.
The second set mirrored the first in its tension. Neither side could establish a definitive rhythm early on, but MSUB eventually surged to a 24-20 lead. NNU attempted a late-game rally, fueled by kills from Abby Black and Hailey Cheney, but the push fell short. MSUB took the set 25-23, putting the Nighthawks on the brink of a sweep.
NNU didn’t fold after dropping two tight sets on the road. After trailing 8-4 early in the third, the Nighthawks clawed back to tie the score at 18-18. From there, the momentum shifted entirely. Lily Kinloch became a force at the net, delivering two critical kills down the stretch, while a combined block from Kinloch and Jenna Holm sealed a 25-20 victory.
NNU Evens the Score Before a Tight Fifth Set
The fourth set was the Nighthawks’ most dominant stretch of the night. After an 8-8 deadlock, NNU ignited an offensive surge that left MSUB searching for answers. Abby Black, Maddy Hellem, and Hailey Cheney led the charge, with Cheney adding a block to the stat sheet as NNU cruised to a 25-16 win. For the first time in the match, the Nighthawks looked completely in control, evening the score at two sets apiece.
The deciding fifth set was a microcosm of the entire night: a back-and-forth struggle where neither team could maintain a lead for long. NNU initially held the upper hand, leading 7-4 and later 8-7. When MSUB responded with a run of their own, the Nighthawks refused to go quietly. A service ace from Cheney tied the game at 12-12, bringing the match to a knife’s edge.
In the end, the Yellowjackets found the final gear. MSUB scored three of the last four points, securing the 15-13 win and the match victory.
The Road to Seattle
While the loss in Billings is a setback, the Nighthawks’ resilience in the third and fourth sets provides a look at their play before their upcoming schedule.
The stakes rise immediately on Saturday, Oct. 31, as Northwest Nazarene travels to Seattle. They face a formidable opponent in No. 25 Seattle Pacific. The match will take place at the Royal Brougham Pavilion, with the first serve scheduled for 1 p.m. PT. Facing a top-25 ranked opponent requires the same effort NNU showed in Montana, but with a level of execution that closes out the fifth set.
For the Nighthawks, the goal in Seattle is about the match against No. 25 Seattle Pacific and whether the comeback in Billings can be repeated.
