Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The University of Northwestern followed a double-win Friday with a huge upset victory over ninth-ranked College of Saint Benedict on Saturday, wrapping up the Blazers' Labor Day Weekend tournament with a 3-1 record to start the 2014 season. Trailing 2-0 in sets, the Eagles rallied for three straight set victories including a 30-28 fourth round. Northwestern dropped its Saturday opener, losing to No. 16 Augsburg 3-0.

The Eagles didn't hit over .200 at any point throughout the match against Saint Benedict until it mattered most when UNW went off for a .400 attacking rate in the fifth set. Northwestern's defense progressively got better, which was evidenced by the Blazers' hitting percentage dipping from .245 and .216 in the first and second rounds to .091, .143, and .048 in the remaining sets. Lizzy Jonas (Neenah, Wis./Valley Christian ) hit 50 assists for the second time this season, but Shanay Gonder (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington) was the difference maker as her 21 kills on 31 attempts continued to give the home team fits, adding seven blocks on defense. Sisters Hallie Mueth (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) and Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) both collected at least 20 digs.

Northwestern, who beat Concordia –Moorhead in a five-set thriller on Friday night, turned a slim 7-6 lead into a lopsided final score. Leading by two at 9-7, UNW went off for six straight points, the last five of which had Jonas at the service line, to claim the match.

While UNW lost to Augsburg in three, an extra-points first set showed the potential of how close the match could be. Northwestern led 16-11 before letting the Auggies back in as the set was tied at 17-17. It was a back-and-forth battle from there before Augsburg rattled off three straight points to win 35-33. Sets 2 and 3 both went Augsburg's way in matching 25-19 scores.

Northwestern hit .250 in the match, but the Auggies' .379 attacking rate proved to be too much for the Eagles, who wore their home white jerseys. Ashley Peper especially had a strong match for Augsburg, putting down 21 kills in 31 attempts. For UNW, Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) was the only Eagle in double figures for kills as the freshman led her team with 14. Jonas had 39 assists while middles Gonder and Cari Miller (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) both finished with four blocks.

Peterson was named to the all-tournament team at the event's completion.

The Eagles will return to the gym for a few days of practice starting on Monday in anticipation of three matches at another weekend in tournament hosted by Augsburg in Minneapolis. Northwestern will start with the Auggies at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 5 before facing Wisconsin-Superior at 6 p.m. UNW will then wrap up its weekend with a 12 noon match versus Gustavus Adolphus on Saturday.