WHITEWATER, Wis. – The University of Northwestern volleyball team proved that history does repeat itself, as the Eagles clawed and battled their way through five sets – including a thrilling 16-14 fifth set victory – to knock off the No. 1 seed in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second consecutive year. UNW defeated the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 3-2 late Thursday night to hand the region host its first loss inside Russell Arena this season.

The Eagles move to 27-8, while the 11th-ranked Warhawks end their season 31-5.



After UW-Whitewater looked to be in the driver's seat after the first set, the Eagles settled in and won set two and looked sharp for the duration of the match. After Whitewater took the third, UNW forced a fifth set with a 25-20 win in set four. The Eagles completed the upset bid with a 16-14 win in a back-and-forth fifth set, thanks to the final kill of the night by Chanhassen native Abby Vander Galien (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian).

Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) led four UNW players who reached double-digit totals in kills, as the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Player of the Year turned in a double-double performance of 13 kills and 26 digs. Seniors Faith Vander Galien (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian) and Lydia Palkert (Excelsior, Minn./Southwest Christian) both had impressive showings, as the duo slammed 12 kills apiece, while Shanay Gonder (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington) tallied 11 kills. Gonder also recorded a match-high seven blocks and Vander Gailien added four to help the Eagles own the net.



UNW will take on Wartburg College in the round of 32 Friday night. First serve inside Russell Arena is slated for 7 p.m. The Knights, who are 31-5 on the year, defeated the College of St. Benedict Thursday night in five sets.