ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of Northwestern matched-up with no. 23 St. Olaf College in the NCAA Regional first round Thursday afternoon. The eight-team regional, hosted by the University of St. Thomas, features single elimination play. The Eagles entered tournament play as the no. 7 seed and took down the second-seeded St. Olaf in a four set battle. With the win, the Eagles advance to Friday's round of 32.
 
The Eagles suffered a 25-15 set one loss before picking up momentum in set two. Northwestern got off to a 15-6 start propelled by a well-balanced attack from UNW. The Oles battled back from the nine point deficit, pulling within two (20-18). Jenay Fuglestad (Maple Grove, Minn./Heritage Christian) responded with a kill from the outside followed by a St. Olaf attack error to give UNW the 22-18 edge.
 
With three UNW set points on the line, St. Olaf tied it up at 24 apiece before Fuglestad found an opening on a tip. Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) secured the set with a kill, giving the Eagles the 26-24 win.
 
With the match tied up at 1-1, set three proved to be a back-and-forth battle. The Oles took the largest lead of the match at 17-14, but UNW was quick to secure the sideout on a kill from Newland. The Eagles trailed until late in the set when they tied it up at 23-23 on a kill from Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian). Following a Northwestern set point opportunity, St. Olaf tied it up again at 24. The Eagles came through with two huge points – securing the 26-24 set three win to go up 2-1 in the match.
 
UNW let the momentum roll into set four – cruising to a 3-0 start. The Eagles forced a St. Olaf timeout after going up 7-3 in the set. The Northwestern momentum was too much for the Oles to handle. UNW hit .318 to St. Olaf's .170 to secure the match win.
 
Freshman right side hitter, Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria), led UNW with 13 kills in the win. Anna Gasch (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock), Jenay Fuglestad (Maple Grove, Minn./Heritage Christian) and Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) each added 11 kills, while Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) finished with eight.
 
Gasch had a team-best five blocks and Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 52 assists. Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) led the way defensively with 31 digs.
 
After falling to the Oles in three sets on the road earlier this season, UNW downed the MIAC opponent in four to advance in NCAA tournament play. The contest marked an NCAA Tournament rematch for the two teams, who met in 2010 regional play (at St. Thomas) with the Oles coming out victorious.
 
Northwestern will advance to Friday action to take on the winner of Thursday's opening match, St. Benedict. The Bennies are 24-5 on the year and defeated UW-Eau Claire in four sets in their first round match. Friday's regional semifinal match will get underway at 4:30 p.m. in Schoenecker Arena. 
 
For all Northwestern volleyball information, visit www.unweagles.com or follow the Eagles on social media at @unwvb on Twitter and Instagram.