NAMPA, Idaho - For the first time since 2004, the Saints won a set on the road against Northwest Nazarene (25-13, 25-20, 20-25, 25-16) before eventually falling in the fourth set.

The Saints (8-15, 3-12) struck first against the 13th ranked Northwest Nazarene (21-2, 13-2) by jumping out to an early 6-1 lead on two kills and a service ace from Rebecca Mitchell. The Nighthawks responded quickly to regain the lead at 12-9 after going on an 11-1 run. The Saints received kills from Mitchell and Gondrezick to trim the lead to 14-12 before the Nighthawks sealed the set victory on another 11-1 run. 

NNU four the first six points in the second set; however, SMU, led by kills from Gondrezick and Megan Vernoy, took back the lead at 7-5. The Saints extended the lead to 9-6 on a block from Mitchell and Kamille Langford until the Nighthawks rattled off seven of the next nine points to take a 13-11 lead. The Saints shaved the lead to only two later in the set before the Nighthawks clinched the set at 25-20.

Out of the break, the third set remained locked at 6-6 before the Saints jump started a 7-1 run on a kills from Mitchell and two service aces by Nicolette Nesbitt. The Nighthawks cut into the Saints' lead, 17-15, however, SMU responded with four straight points. NNU answered back with a 4-0 run of their own to cut the score to 21-19. A kill from Mitchell and a block by Vernoy and Liz Larson helped the Saints to the third set at 25-20.

The Saints fell behind early in the final set, 10-4, before the Nighthawks used a 6-0 run to take a commanding 18-7 lead. Mitchell led the Saints with three kills down the stretch, along with kills from Gondrezick, Nesbitt and an ace by Larson. Northwest Nazarene won the match at 25-16.

"At the end of the night, would we have loved to beat the No.13th team in the nation, of course," said head coach Jon Killingbeck. "But this was the second time we have pushed a fourth set on a top-15 team and that is progress for our program. We have much more work to do, but we are taking steps in the correct direction."

Once again, Rebecca Mitchell led the Saints in kills with 19, the most in the match, while tallying seven digs, three blocks and two service aces. Vernoy reached the double-digit kill mark (10) with Gondrezick finishing the match at nine kills. Nicolette Nesbitt recorded 38 of the Saints' 43 assists, while Hannah Neumann dug 21 attacks to led SMU. 

The Saints travel to Central Washington on Saturday, Nov 4, with first serve scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Live stats and video will be available with links on smusaints.com.