EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – After nearly a week hiatus from game competition, the University of Northwestern volleyball team (19-7) picked up right where they left off, earning a pair of wins on the opening day of the UW-Eau Claire Tournament Friday. The Eagles swept UW-River Falls (10-16) and recorded a 3-2 hard-fought win over UW-Platteville (10-14) to push their win streak to 13.

Game One vs. UW-River Falls – 25-22, 25-23, 25-15
Faith Vander Galien (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian) and Shanay Gonder (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington) led the Eagles to a sweep of UW-River Falls in the weekend opener, as Vander Galien slammed 13 kills, while Gonder racked up 12.
Vander Galien compiled an impressive .600 hitting percentage. Gonder, who had a .500 hitting percentage, also posted five blocks. Kaelyn Kilbo (Delano, Minn./Delano) tallied 17 assists, while Leesa Hulstrand (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) added 16.

Game Two vs. UW-Platteville – 22-25, 25-16, 21-25, 25-10, 15-2
Trailing two sets to one, UNW stormed back to dominate the fourth and fifth sets to defeat UW-Platteville, 3-2. Shanay Gonder (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington) turned in a monster performance, as the junior recorded a career-high 23 kills. Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) notched a double-double with 24 digs and 11 kills, while Jackie Foster (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) added 22 digs. Peterson added four service aces and Kilbo had a match-high 32 assists.

The Eagles will continue play at the UW-Eau Claire Tournament Saturday with games against Buena Vista (12 p.m.) and host UW-Eau Claire (4 p.m.). Live links to follow the action can be found at www.unweagles.com.