MONMOUTH, Ore. --- The Western Oregon volleyball team fought off seven match points, showed an incredible amount of guts in forcing a fifth set and had its chances, but the Wolves fell short 3-2 (23-25, 25-16, 25-22, 26-24, 18-16) to Northwest Nazarene on Thursday night at New PE Building.

The Wolves (8-11 overall, 2-9 GNAC) appeared they were going to lose in four to the Nighthawks (10-10, 6-6) as NNU held a 24-20 lead in the fourth set. But WOU showed heart and rode the hot hand of Bella MacLellan as she amassed four kills and a block during an incredible 6-0 run to end the game in favor of the Wolves 26-24.

The Wolves never led in the fifth set, but the match was tied six different times - including 13-13, 14-14, 15-15 and 16-16 - before NNU put the game and match away at 18-16.

Madison Hornback set a career high in both kills (27) and digs (24) in the contest to lead WOU. Chloe Asciutto had 14 kills while MacLellan had 12 kills and six blocks. Bailee Hartsook had a team-best 33 digs while Laney O'Neil had 27 assists and Smantha Darby finished with 26.

The Wolves return to action 1 p.m. Saturday as they host No. 20 Central Washington.