RAYMOND — Shifting into another gear late in the first set, Raymond’s Seagulls kept their foot on the accelerator the rest of the way.

Four players delivered at least five kills as the Gulls trounced previously unbeaten Northwest Christian, 25-23, 25-15, 25-9, in a Pacific League volleyball match Tuesday night at Raymond.

By conquering a traditional nemesis in the perennially powerful Navigators, the Gulls (3-1, 8-2) remained a game back of Life Christian in the league standings.

Hailee Smith turned in an outstanding all-around performance for Raymond. The senior middle blocker finished with 10 kills (many from the back row), three blocks, 20 digs and seven aces.

Several of her teammates also got in the act. Mikayla Collins contributed seven kills and four blocks and Winter Newman and Aubree Gardner five kills apiece. Gardner also brought up 21 digs.

Although assist totals were unavailable, senior setter Cydney Flemetis easily surpassed 20.

“She did a great job making decisions,” Raymond coach Bob Swogger said of Flemetis. “We did a much better job of distributing the ball.”

The Gulls, in fact, were impressive in all departments. They didn’t miss a serve in the match and their hitting percentage in the final 2 1/2 sets was exceptional.

“We were able to serve tough and keep the pressure on them,” Swogger noted. “They were on defense (for most) of the night. And our serve-receive improved tremendously from what it had been the last two or three games.”

The match, however, began anything but favorably for the Gulls.

Picking up most of Raymond’s hits and getting the better of extended rallies, Northwest Christian (3-1, 9-1) led by as many as seven points in the opening set. The margin was still six, at 19-13, after NWC’s Kelli Born served consecutive aces.

Gardner’s ace capped a five-point run that reduced the deficit to 19-18. Following an exchange of side-outs, Collins’ stuff block tied it at 20 and Newman put away a Flemetis set to give Raymond a permanent lead.

Smith’s jump-serve ace and a Navigator return error made it 24-20. Northwest Christian fought off three set points before hitting long on the fourth.

After that comeback, the final two sets were something of an anti-climax.

Smith served the Gulls to a 4-0 lead in the second set. Up 20-7 at one stage, Raymond overcame a few late errors to close out the set on Collins’ kill and Newman’s ace.

After spotting the Navigators the opening three points of the final set, the Gulls responded with the next seven and were never again threatened.

There was no junior varsity contest.

The Gulls make the short trip to South Bend on Thursday.