NAMPA, Idaho – Led by four players reaching double-figures in kills, the Western Washington University volleyball team opened Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with a four-set victory over Northwest Nazarene University Thursday evening inside the Johnson Center.

WWU improved to 7-1 overall (1-0 in GNAC play) with its seventh consecutive victory defeating NNU 25-16, 25-14, 21-25, 25-16. Western has won the last 15 meetings against the Nighthawks dating back to the 2017 season.

"We came out solid as a team and did a great job on the serve and pass game," said WWU head coach Diane Flick-Williams. "Voss (Emily Vossenkuhl) was outstanding and did it all. Great hitting, great blocking and especially her unsung skill of setting the second ball."

Junior middle Emily Vossenkuhl led the Vikings with an all-around match featuring 11 kills on a .556 attack percentage and a team-best seven blocks. Senior outside hitter Devyn Oestreich (15 kills, 14 digs) and junior outside hitter Delaney Speer (13 kills, 21 digs) contributed double-doubles and senior opposite Abby May added 10 kills.

The setter duo of senior Adele Holland (25 assists) and junior Caroline Hansen (20 assists) guided the Vikings to a team .329 attach percentage (2nd highest this season). Redshirt freshman Violet Burchak had eight kills and four block assists totaling 10.0 points. Junior libero Finnley Claeys tallied 17 digs and redshirt freshman Chayse Flick-Williams matched the two service aces by Hansen and Oestreich.

NNU (1-7, 0-1 GNAC) was led by a 14-kill, 10-dig double-double by Abby Black.

The Vikings (7-1, 1-0 GNAC) remains on the road Saturday taking on rival Central Washington University (5-3, 1-0 GNAC) Saturday in Ellensburg with first serve scheduled for 1 pm. WWU's GNAC home opener is September 25 hosting Montana State Billings at 7 pm on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Celebrating the start of the fall quarter a pizza party for the first 300 students in attendance will begin at 6 pm. The complete 2025 season schedule can be viewed at WWUVikings.com/25_VB.

Kills – Oestreich (15), Speer (13), Vossenkuhl (11)

Aces – Oestreich (2), Hansen (2), Flick-Williams (2)

Blocks – Vossenkuhl (7), Burchak (4), May (2)

Assists – Holland (25), Hansen (20), Vossenkuhl (5)

Digs – Speer (21), Claeys (17), Oestreich (14)

Points – Oestreich (17.5), Vossenkuhl (15.0), Speer (13.5), May (11.0), Burchak (10.0)

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Northwest Nazarene:

Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2025 season: