FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Eastern Washington University volleyball team traveled to Flagstaff, Ariz., to take on Northern Arizona tonight (Feb. 14), where they lost in straight sets (16-25, 18-25, 20-25).

"I thought we did a nice job of having some energy and making a comeback after trailing 12-1 in game three. We also found some momentum and had our best side-out percentage in game three and finally started getting in a groove and getting comfortable in the gym, so I'm excited to get another opportunity with the same team tomorrow," said head coach Leslie Flores-Cloud.
 
Northern Arizona used an 8-0 run to take a 9-2 lead, forcing an Eastern Washington timeout. The Eagles emerged from the break and went on a 4-0 run that started with a block from Renata Lopez Morales and Maya McClellan and continued with a kill from McClellan and Ka'ehukaiiha'amaina'e Keala plus a Catelyn Linke service ace to make it a 9-6 contest.
 
The Eagles continued to chip at their deficit, but the Lumberjacks regained control and rebuilt an 18-12 lead to eventually claim the first set, 25-16, and a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
The Lumberjacks broke away early to take 5-2 lead before Blotzer's third kill of the night put a stop to the run. The Eagles trailed 7-5 when back-to-back kills from McKenna Russell and Sage Brustad gave the set its first of six ties, 7-7. Northern Arizona would find five consecutive points to pull away 12-7 and forced an Eastern Washington timeout. Out of the break, the Eagles found some momentum and used a 5-0 run to re-tie the set 12-12, and it was NAU's turn to call timeout.
 
Coming out of the timeout, both sides traded points until the Lumberjacks used another 3-0 run to pull ahead 17-14. From there, Northern Arizona had control and took the second set, 25-18.
 
Northern Arizona jumped out to a 7-0 lead that eventually built to 14-3 in set three. The Eagles then used a 4-0 run to cut their deficit to 14-7. Blotzer was instrumental in the run, coming up with a kill and two block assists. Later in the set, three Northern Arizona errors cut EWU's deficit to just 16-11. After the Lumberjacks pulled back ahead 21-15, a 4-1 Eagle run threatened as they moved within three points of NAU following another block assist from M. Russell and Ana Paula Zandona. From there, the Lumberjacks were able to find the final three points they needed to take the set 25-20 and the match 3-0.
 
WIN-LOSS RECORDS: After tonight's loss, Eastern Washington falls to 3-5 overall and 2-5 in Big Sky Conference play, while Northern Arizona improves to 5-2.
 
TOP PERFORMANCES: Ashlyn Blotzer led the team with seven kills and four blocks. She swung .600 on the night with just one error on 10 total attempts.
 
A quartet of Eagles in Maya McClellan, Sage Brustad, McKenna Russell and Ka'ehukaiiha'amaina'e Keala followed with five kills, while Russell also had four blocks.
 
Both Ana Paula Zandona and Lindsey Russell split the setting duties again, collecting 14 and 11 assists, respectively. Zandona also contributed with three blocks.
 
Catelyn Linke led the team with 16 digs and recorded EWU's lone service ace.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Eastern Washington hit .095 on the night with 27 kills and 19 errors on 84 total attempts, while Northern Arizona hit .272 (40k-15e-92ta).
 
The Lumberjacks had 11 service aces compared to just one for the Eagles. Eastern Washington was solid at the net, out-blocking NAU 9-to-5. The Eagles were also edged in digs, 36 to 33, and assists, 38 to 27.
 
UP NEXT: Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona play again tomorrow, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Pacific time in Flagstaff, Ariz. The match will be streamed on Pluto TV Ch. 1058.