ST. PAUL – In a thrilling first match, the University of Northwestern volleyball team took down the College of Saint Scholastica in four sets. The Eagles carried that momentum into their second match of the day, as UNW swept UW-Superior in the weekend finale.

MATCH 1 vs St. Scholastica

(28-26, 26-24, 19-25, 25-22)

In a constant battle to the finish, set one set the tone for the match with extra points on the floor as UNW took CSS to 28-26. Freya Hanson (Otsego, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) sealed the deal with a game winning block, assisted by Shanay Gonder (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington).

CSS took an early 11-7, forcing an Eagle timeout in the third. Gaining a lead of five, the Saints claimed the third set due to a few Eagle passing errors in the final stretch. Northwestern wasn't done fighting with an early 11-6 lead in game four. Capitalizing on their lead, UNW finished with a 3-1 finish. Peterson led with 16 kills and an amassing 24 digs. Both Vander Galien sisters followed in kills with 11 apiece.

MATCH 2 vs. UW-Superior

(25-11, 25-14, 25-20)

UNW opened the match with an impressive .433 hitting percentage in set one and never looked back. The Vander Galien sisters led the way up front for the Eagles, as both slammed eight kills against the Yellowjackets, while Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) floored seven. Peterson also added 18 digs and fellow sophomore Jackie Foster (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) tallied 16.

Kaelyn Kilbo (Delano, Minn./Delano) and Leesa Hulstrand (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) f insihed the match with 18 and 16 assists, respectively, while Abby Vander Galien (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian), Kilbo and Freya Hanson (Otsego, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) all had a pair of service aces.

UNW owned the net, racking up 10 blocks to UW-Superior's five. Shanay Gonder (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington) had five block assists and a solo to lead the way.

The Eagles will be off until next Friday when they travel to St. Thomas for a 7 p.m. contest.