ST. PETER, Minn. – In a battle of two of the region's top teams, the No. 12 University of Northwestern volleyball outlasted 10th-ranked Gustavus Adolphus in five sets to spoil the Gusties' Homecoming Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Eagles move to 14-3 overall on the year.

UNW won the non-conference match by set scores: 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 17-25, 15-13.

The Eagles took control early and set the pace for the first two sets to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match, but the Gusties weren't done, fighting their way back in and forcing a decisive fifth set. UNW went to its star in the fifth, as reining AVCA Division III Player of the Year Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) floored kills to give the Eagles their final four points to seal the 15-13 fifth set victory.

Peterson finished the matinee with a match-high 22 kills. She led a group of four UNW players in double figures, as Mariah Halvorsen (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) turned in another strong performance, posting 16 kills, while Leesa Malone (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) (13) and Kayla Tanner (Anoka, Minn./Anoka) (10) also contributed to the offensive attack in a big way. Malone was equally as involved in setting up the attack, as the senior racked up 32 assists.

Defensively, senior libero Jackie Doering (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) was impressive in the back row, notching 28 digs. Peterson followed with 22 to complete the double-double effort – to go along with four blocks – and fellow senior Abby Neuberger (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian) added 15 digs. Kayla Tanner (Anoka, Minn./Anoka) was a force in the middle, recording five blocks, while Jenay Fuglestad (Maple Grove, Minn./Heritage Christian) also had a strong match, adding four blocks.

UNW will be back on the court next Wednesday, as they will travel to New Ulm for another UMAC Triangular. Fans can find more information on the volleyball program at www.unweagles.com or by following @unwvb on Twitter.