NAMPA, Idaho – Saint Martin's losing streak slipped to five after Northwest Nazarene rallied back from a strong opening set by SMU to take the match in four sets.
 
Saint Martin's (7-10, 1-7) began the night on fire with 14 kills, and no errors in the opening set, perhaps playing their most complete volleyball of the season. Northwest Nazarene (3-12, 1-7) found their groove in the second set with 18 kills, and narrowly edged out the Saints in the third set 27-25. NNU closed the match with a 14-kill fourth set for a 25-22 final score.
 
The Saints opened the first set on a 10-4 run. Northwest Nazarene closed the gap to as little as three but never closer. An 8-1 run for the Saints that featured three kills from Kylie Coon helped the Saints run away with a 25-14 set.
 
Northwest Nazarene rattled off seven straight points in the early goings of the second set to establish control and take the set 25-14.
 
Saint Martin's looked to be on the verge of regaining the lead in the third set, taking four of five side outs to lead 25-24. But Northwest Nazarene had other plans, completing the set with two kills, and an error from SMU to win 27-25.
 
SMU once again looked to be in control in the fourth set, leading 12-5. Once again, Northwest Nazarene was able to make the adjustments necessary to come back and win the match.
 
Emily Gooding led the Saints in kills and digs, finishing with 16 kills, and 13 digs. Coon followed with 13 kills, and Tia Allen amassed nine kills. Analise Hitchcock collected 42 of the Saints' 45 assists, and Kylie Alos added 11 digs.
 
Saint Martin's travels to Central Washington on Saturday, October 16 for a 1:00 PM match. Live stats and video will be available on smusaints.com.