NEW ULM, Minn. – The University of Northwestern volleyball team claimed the outright Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season title with a 3-0 win at Martin Luther Friday night. The Eagles won by set scores of 25-15, 25-9 and 25-18 to finish league play with a perfect 8-0 record and move their conference winning streak to 29 games. UNW swept each of its opponents in conference play this fall. 

It is the fifth consecutive UMAC regular season title and eighth title in the last nine years for UNW.

Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork)'s match-high 14 kills and 18 digs paced UNW in the victory. Peterson hit .300 in the match. Abby Vander Galien (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian) had a strong night, as the sophomore hit .400 en route to flooring 13 kills, while tallying nine digs. Lydia Palkert (Excelsior, Minn./Southwest Christian) had a big night at the net, posting six blocks. Palkert also added seven kills and hit a match-high .438. Leesa Hulstrand (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) added 21 assists in the winning effort.

Northwestern controlled the net, holding a 9-3 advantage in the blocks category. The Eagles hit .310 as a team and held the Knights to a .071 team hitting percentage.  

The Eagles will host the winner of the Martin Luther and St. Scholastica match in a semifinal contest Wednesday night.