ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference announced its 2019 volleyball awards on Monday. Sophomore setter Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) headlined the awards, earning this year's Player of the Year nod. Alongside Schwitters, Northwestern landed two on the UMAC's First Team, three Second Team members and one Honorable Mention honoree.
 
View the UMAC's complete all-conference release HERE.
 
Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) – UMAC Player of the Year; First Team All-Conference
After earning last year's AVCA Central Region Rookie of the Year award, Schwitters was back at it for another standout season. The sophomore setter has directed the Eagle offense, dishing out 1,113 assists and averaging 10.1 assists/set to lead the UMAC. She has recorded 14 double-doubles this season (assists and digs) and averages 2.52 digs/set. Sydney has been named the UMAC's Player of the Week four times this season and led UNW to a share of the UMAC's regular season title and tournament championship.
 
Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) – First Team All-Conference
The rookie libero has been exceptional this season – leading the UMAC defensively with 633 total digs and 5.65/set. Schroyer picked up a season-best 36 digs against regionally-ranked Wartburg and 33 in UNW's UMAC semifinal win over UW-Superior.
 
Jenay Fuglestad (Maple Grove, Minn./Heritage Christian) – Second Team All-Conference
Fuglestad has been an offensive powerhouse this season, leading the UMAC in kills/set with 3.55. The junior outside hitter put together 14 kills in UNW's semifinal win over UW-Superior and 15 kills and a .556 average in the Eagle's championship win over Morris to be named the 2019 UMAC Tournament MVP. Fuglestad earned the league's Offensive Player of the Week award three times this season.
 
Anna Gasch (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) – Second Team All-Conference
Gasch saved the best for last – putting together her most dynamic season as a senior middle blocker. Gasch ended regular season play as the conference's top blocker, averaging .97 blocks/set. She earned back-to-back UMAC Player of the Week Awards (one offensive and one defensive) to end UMAC play. Anna also added 1.94 kills/set and a .253 average on the year.
 
Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) – Second Team All-Conference
Schwitters emerged as an offensive force for UNW this season, recording 337 kills (3.01 kills/set). On top of the outside hitter's offensive impact, she also recorded 376 digs (the tenth most in the UMAC this year). With 13 double-doubles (kills and digs), 42 service aces and 42 blocks, the junior was essential in UNW's success this season.
 
Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) – Honorable Mention All-Conference
Hardy became Northwestern's secret weapon from the right side, hammering 265 kills (2.52/set) and a .240 average on the year. Her season-best 20 kill performance came in UNW's five set loss to regionally-ranked Wartburg. She put together a strong UMAC tournament, recording 19 kills in UNW's semifinal win over UW-Superior and 12 kills in the Eagle's championship win over Morris.
 
Sophomore Karly Fehr (Morris, Minn./Morris) was awarded Northwestern's sportsmanship award this season.

The Eagles will continue post season action when they take on St. Olaf College in the NCAA Tournament Regional hosted at the University of St. Thomas. First serve is slated for 3 p.m. at Schoenecker Arena on Thursday, Nov. 14. Follow Northwestern volleyball online at www.unweagles.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @unweagles.com.