Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – The last two weekends, the University of Northwestern has faced at least one Top 25 team in its nonconference tournament tour. Friday's start to the Cornell College Classic was no different, as the Eagles went up against No. 16 University of St. Thomas and No. 2 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. UNW lost both matches 3-0, and will hope to rebound in its two contests on Saturday.

Northwestern struggled against the 16th rated Tommies, who took care of the Eagles in one hour and 12 minutes. UNW hit .225 in the match, but couldn't keep pace with St. Thomas, who countered with an attacking rate of .390 throughout the three sets.

Northwestern was only able to hang with the Tommies in the first set, which resulted in a 25-22 score. The Eagles were even with St. Thomas at 19-19, but UST started to forge a gap in between itself and UNW, eventually winning by three before taking the second and third sets 25-13 and 25-15.

Hallie Mueth (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) was the lone player in a purple and gold uniform to net double-digit kills, posting 11, while setter Lizzy Jonas (Neenah, Wis./Valley Christian ) finished the match with 28 assists. Jacki Smith (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) had four blocks for the Eagles. For the Toms, Taylor Lewis took over with an 18-kill match, followed by Jill Gretaenfield's 14 kills.

Northwestern fared better against Stevens Point, but still lost in three sets to slip under .500 for the first time this season. UNW forced extra time in the third set before losing that round 26-24.

The Eagles hit .187 against the pointers, with Lydia Palkert (Excelsior, Minn./Southwest Christian) finding the most success on offense as evidenced by the junior's 10 kills on 26 attacks. Lizzy Jonas (Neenah, Wis./Valley Christian ) averaged 11 assists per set while Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) had 23 digs on the defensive side. Krista Loos led UW-Stevens Point with 14 kills.

While the Eagles' Saturday opponents aren't ranked, Wartburg College and Cornell College are certainly dangerous. UNW will start the day against Wartburg, who handed the Pointers from Stevens Point their first loss of the 2014 season on Friday, at 10 a.m. before wrapping up the weekend with a 2 p.m. match versus the host-Rams from Cornell.