ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern volleyball team welcomed Saint Mary's University to the Ericksen Center for Friday night non-conference action. The Eagles were electric, downing the MIAC opponent in straight sets with scores of 25-21, 25-10 and 25-18.
 
Northwestern moves to 19-7 on the year as the Cardinals fall to 14-11 this season. Lone senior Anna Gasch (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) was honored prior to the start of tonight's match. Anna has left her mark on the Eagles volleyball program. As a four-year member of the UNW team, she has been a part of three UMAC Regular Season Championships, one NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance, one NCAA Final Four and has gone 44-2 in conference play in her career. Collectively, Gasch has competed in 87 matches, recorded 432 kills and added 206 blocks. On Monday, Anna was named the UMAC's Offensive Player of the Week for leading UNW to four wins at the North Jersey Classic. She sits in second place in the UMAC in blocks/set (.86) and fifth in hitting percentage (.249).

 After trailing early in set one followed by six tied scores and five lead changes, the Eagles took the set 25-21. Freshmen Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) and Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) recorded four kills apiece to lead UNW's comeback. Northwestern hit a .300 average and kept the momentum going into set two.
 
The Eagles got off to a dominant 13-2 start before SMU would end the run. Northwestern, however, would continue to control the pace – recording 14 kills to Saint Mary's six enroute to a 25-10 win.
 
The Cardinals couldn't contain UNW as they jumped out to a 17-5 lead. A well-rounded effort featured strong performances from a trio of Eagles. Jenay Fuglestad (Maple Grove, Minn./Heritage Christian) led the pack with 12 kills, hitting .379. Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) added nine kills with no errors and an impressive .563 average. Freshman Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) tacked on seven.

Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 33 assists in the three-setter. Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) led the way defensively, picking up 19 digs, while Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) added 11. Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) and Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) recorded a team-best three service aces.
 
Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 26 when they travel to New Ulm, Minn. to take on UMAC opponent, Martin Luther. First serve is slated for 12 p.m. Follow the action live here: https://livestream.com/mlc-knightvision
 
For all things UNW volleyball, visit www.unweagles.com or follow the Eagles on Instagram and Twitter at @unwvb.