NAMPA, Idaho (Sept. 16) - Carolyn DeKay had another strong offensive showing, but it wasn't quite enough to rescue the UAA volleyball team from a narrow loss to host Northwest Nazarene here Thursday, as the Crusaders won 15-30, 30-16, 27-30, 30-27, 16-14.

DeKay spiked 20 kills for UAA (8-3, 2-1 GNAC), while Jenny Mitchell added 12 kills and Mindy Lindquist had 11 kills and five blocks. NNU (6-3, 1-2) was paced by the superb all-around play of Lindsay Miller, who had a match-best 28 kills and 22 digs.

Katina Ozrelic had seven kills for UAA, to go with five blocks and a career-high 10 digs. But the senior had an inconsistent night, committing eight attack errors. Outside hitter Diana Gordon led the Seawolves with 21 digs, while libero Rachael Knecht had 19. Setter Stephanie Martinez had 46 assists.

After splitting the first two games, the Seawolves rallied from a 24-22 deficit in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead. But the Crusaders, playing their home opener, responded with a hard-fought Game 4 win to take it the distance.

NNU jumped to leads of 4-1 and 9-5 in the final game before UAA rallied and tied it 12-12 on a DeKay kill. That play came during a sequence when DeKay and Miller traded kills on eight straight points. The last of those points gave the Crusaders a 15-14 edge, and they won the match on a kill by Carie James.

The Seawolves and Crusaders tied 13-13 in the blocking category, marking the first match this year that UAA has failed to outblock its opponent.

UAA has day to rest before taking on Seattle University on Saturday. That match is scheduled for 6 p.m. ADT.