Northwest Christian's girls volleyball team absorbed its first bit of adversity Tuesday night as it squared off in a 3A championship rematch from 2019 with Valley Christian.

The adversity - its first lost set in six matches - was overcome as the Crusaders won the the next three sets in a 21-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-21 victory over the Trojans in battle of unbeatens at Valley Christian.

"We started out fighting against ourselves and them," Northwest Christian coach Jenna Hope said. "Our serving,  I think I counted eight serves we missed the first set. After that we settled down gradually and played our game. We always look forward to playing Valley Christian. They have a good program and it's tough competition."

The two-time defending 3A champs are bringing along new middles with its veteran attack in reloading for a shot at a three-peat. Northwest Christian (6-0) relied on its experience on the pins with a trio doing the damage. Senior Reagan Hope topped the Crusaders with 22 kills, sophomore KIerstyn Barton checked in with 16 and senior McKenzie Wise managed 10. Reagan Hope had 10 digs and setter Molly Kipp and Wise added six digs each. Kipp contributed 43 assists. 

"We got too comfortable staying behind," Valley Christian coach Lindy Ramsland said. "We won the first set, but they missed half their serves. It wasn't like we dominated to win that set....

"I think we're two of the best teams in 3A. We need to be focused more and I'd like to see more fire as we go along, especially in a match like this." Valley Christian's attack was led by senior opposite Emma Richardson with 11 kills, sophomore middle Kate Phillips (nine kills) and junior outside hitter Cara Braun (eight kills).

Northwest Christian was its own worst enemy commiting eight service errors in the opening set which Valley Christian( 5-1) took advantage of. The Crusaders never trailed in the second set posting leads of as many as six points yet saw their advantage drop to a single point late, 20-19. NWC scored its final five points of the set via two Valley Christian service errors, two aces and a Barton kill. The Crusaders still weren't done with poor serving with six more misses in the set.

The third set began as Valley Christian's best of the night. The Trojans amassed a 14-9 lead coaxing Northwest Christian to call timeout. Service errors by the Crusuders were further reduced in the set (four). Eleven kills among the last 16 points brought NWC from behind. Valley Christian led, 23-21, but two kills, a net violation and an ace comprised the 4-0 run that closed the set. Barton had seven kills in the set and Reagan Hope tallied set point with her sixth kill of the set.

The final set saw NWC lead from start to finish, never by more than four. Valley Christian pulled within a point eight times and tied the set once (16-all), but the final two NWC kills of the match from Reagan Hope ended the Trojans' bid for a fifth set.

Northwest Christian and Valley Christian are now members of the same region this year (3A North Central) and will match up again this month - Wednesday Oct. 21 at NWC.