NAMPA, Idaho – The Western Washington University volleyball team clinched its third consecutive Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship with a four-set victory over Northwest Nazarene Saturday evening in Johnson Sports Center.

No. 6 nationally-ranked WWU defeated NNU by scores of 25-16, 25-7, 23-25, 25-15 to finish the regular season 26-2 overall and 18-2 in conference play to record a third straight GNAC title. WWU also won titles in 2017 (19-1) and 2018 (20-0) for a combined record of 57-3 over the last three seasons in GNAC play.

This marks just the second time in the 19-year history of the GNAC that a program has won three consecutive league titles, with the 2001-03 Vikings the only other instance. It was also WWU's 10^thtitle in the 19-year history of the league. The Vikings will receive the conference automatic bid to the NCAA II Championships, marking the eighth consecutive and 14^th overall trip to the postseason.

"I am so proud of this young team winning the conference title with the huge expectations they shouldered this year," said WWU head coach Diane Flick-Williams, in her 20^th year leading the program. "Our seniors – Joslyn, Mae, Kayleigh – led this group and we are where we are because of them."

WWU was led by 16 kills each from senior middle Kayleigh Harper and sophomore outside hitter Gabby Gunterman. Harper finished with a team-high 20.5 points also contributing 5 blocks and a pair of service aces.

Redshirt freshman outside hitter Calley Heilborn notched her 17^th double-double of the season with 13 kills and 19 digs. Senior libero Mae Thungc recorded a match-high 26 digs, falling one short of her single-match career high. GNAC leading setter redshirt freshman Malia Aleaga dished out 47 assists and also had 8 digs and 4 blocks.

The Vikings balanced team effort also featured a 7-kill, 6-block performance from sophomore middleChloe Roetcisoender. Redshirt freshman Tupu Lologo added 12 digs and a team-high 3 service aces.

WWU's defensive effort was the difference in the win over the Nighthawks, with the Vikings holding a 87-71 edge in digs and out-blocked NNU 14.5-7.0.

"We had great contributions at different times by different players. Our defensive players - Mae, Kasey and Tupu - were anchors for us on the floor and our pins - Gabby and Calley - came up big when we needed them," added Flick-Williams. "Malia did a great job running the offense and Chloe had some great touches on the block. Kayleigh, quite frankly, took over in the 4th set. Full team effort tonight."

NNU (13-14, 9-11) outside hitter Brooke Foster led all players with a 22-kill, 13-dig double-double for 23.0 total points.

Kills - Harper (16), Gunterman (16), Heilborn (13)

Aces - Lologo (3), Harper (2), Thungc (1)

Blocks - Roetcisoender (6), Harper (5), Aleaga (4)

Assists - Aleaga (47), Woodruff (3)

Digs - Thungc (26), Heilborn (19), Lologo (12)

Points - Harper (20.5), Gunterman (18.5), Heilborn (14.0), Roetcisoender (11.0)

The Vikings now turn their attention to the postseason where they will make their eighth consecutive trip to the NCAA II Championships and the 14^th in program history. The NCAA II Selection Show will air Monday (Nov. 25) at 4:30 pm on NCAA.com. WWU has been ranked No. 2 in each of the three West Regional rankings this season. The West Regional will be played December 5-7 on the campus of the No. 1 seed in the region.

The Vikings swept the season series vs. the Nighthawks, also winning in four sets to open the GNAC season (25-23, 19-25, 25-10, 25-15). WWU leads the all-time series 41-9, with a current six-match winning streak, and is 18-3 all-time vs. NNU in Nampa (18-4 overall in Johnson Sports Center).

Here is a look at the final 2019 Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings following play on Saturday, with the Vikings winning their 10^th conference title in the 19-year history of the league:

Fans can follow WWU Volleyball online at WWUVikings.com/VB, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUVolleyball), Instagram (@WWUVB) and Facebook (@WWUVolleyball). All home matches feature a live webcast, as well as most road matches, with links on how to follow the games available at WWUVikings.com/Live.

The WWU volleyball program has risen to elite level by advancing to the NCAA Division II Championships in each of the last eight seasons and 14 of the last 19 dating back to the 2001 season. The winner of 10 Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships, Western won the 2018 GNAC title with a perfect 20-0 record, the 2017 championship by posting a 19-1 league and is a 3-peat champion with an 18-2 mark this season. Over the last three seasons (includes 2019) the Vikings have combined to go 83-10 overall and 57-3 in conference play, and over the last five seasons are 133-24. Led by 20^th-year head coach Diane Flick-Williams, the Vikings have posted a 201-39 record over the last eight seasons (.838 winning percentage) and have played in the NCAA II West Region championship match each of the last four seasons (2015-18), winning titles in 2015 and 2018. WWU played for the NCAA II national championship in 2007 and 2018, both national runner-up finishes, have advanced to the NCAA Final Four in two of the past four seasons (2015 and 2015).