Box Score Box Score

NEW ULM, Minn. – Northwestern College was happy to welcome Kendra Korporal (Sumner, Iowa /Sumner-Fredericksburg) back to its lineup on Friday night as the freshman returned to boost the Eagles over Martin Luther College 3-1 (25-22, 25-11, 26-28, 25-19). Korporal, who was unable to join the team on its western Minnesota road trip last weekend, led the Eagles with 22 kills to boost NWC to a 16-8 overall record (6-1 UMAC).

Martin Luther presented a loud audience for the game as the Knights were hosting their “Dig Pink” night in conjunction with October being breast cancer awareness month. Northwestern didn't let the crowd get to them in the first two sets, with the Eagles building up a 16-10 advantage in Set 1 as Korporal and Tija Rudzitis (Andover, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian ) posted kills in the run. Martin Luther rallied back to come within two points at 20-18, but Northwestern finished out the set on a 5-3 swing to strike first.

Trailing 11-9 in the second set, Northwestern proceeded to go on its biggest run of the year, winning the next 16 points to take a commanding 2-0 lead after the 25-11 set victory. The Knights fired back in the third set, keeping things close with knots in the score at 20, 21 and 24. Martin Luther's Rebecca Engelbrecht put the home team in position to take the set with a kill at 25-24, but Northwestern held on for a little longer until Heather Danell's kill gave the Knights a 28-26 overtime set win.

NWC found itself trailing again in the fourth set, but the Eagles mounted a comeback to wrap up the night. With Martin Luther leading 17-15, kills by Lizzy Potratz (Oshkosh, Wis./Valley Christian ) and Lydia Palkert (Excelsior, Minn./Southwest Christian) helped the Eagles tie the score at 18-18 before the Purple and Gold took seven of the next eight points to win 25-19.

Northwestern hit .255 for the match while allowing the Knights to counter with a .182 attacking rate. The Eagles' 58 kills bested Martin Luther by 10, while NWC had more blocks at the net. Courtney Jonas (Neenah, Wis./Valley Christian) and Potratz added 11 kills to Korporal's 22, with both maintaining a personal hitting percentage of .320 or better. Krista Stoltz (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) had all but three of the Eagles' 52 assists, with Lexi Bertsch (Andover, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian) and Potratz each earning 14 digs. Jonas had her hand on six blocks throughout the night.

Engelbrecht was the lone Martin Luther (11-10, 5-3 UMAC) player to record double digit kills, leading the Knights with 19 on 43 attempts. Miranda Maasz had 38 assists while also leading her team with 16 digs.

Northwestern's celebration of Friday night's victory will be a short one, as the Eagles have more work ahead on Saturday as they make the short drive to Mankato, Minn. for a 1 p.m. bout with Bethany Lutheran College.