Benedictine wins inaugural Northern Athletics Conference Tournament Championship in exciting fashion
AURORA, Ill. -- The Eagles of Benedictine University captured the inaugural Northern Athletics Conference Tournament Championship 3-2 (26-30, 30-28, 30-28, 23-30, 15-12) in a thrilling five game match Saturday afternoon in Aurora University's Thornton Gymnasium.

Concordia jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead, winning the first game 30-26 only to see Benedictine respond with two straight game wins 30-28 in games two and three to take a 2-1 lead and what they hoped would be a decisive game four.

But the Falcons showed why they were in the tournament final as the five seed after two upset victories in the tourney, including a 3-1 win Friday night over top seeded Aurora University. Concordia captured game four 30-23 and forced a fifth game.

In the fifth and deciding game, the Eagles jumped out to an 11-7 lead only to find the Falcons storm back to knot the game at 12. That's when Benedictine's Amanda Distasio stepped to the serving line and knocked down two consecutive serves for the 2006 NAC Tournament Championship.

Courtesy of Aurora University, Sports Information Department, November 4, 2006.