ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern volleyball team welcomed Minnesota Morris to the Ericksen Center for Saturday night UMAC Championship action. The Eagles, who entered as the playoffs' no. 1 seed, were eager to take down the no. 2 seeded Cougars who upset UNW in last year's tournament championship. Following a tight first set, Northwestern cruised to a dominant second and third set win to sweep Morris, 3-0. With the win, the Eagles clinch the program's ninth post season tournament championship in the past 10 years and an automatic bid to the 2019 NCAA Tournament. The selection show will take place on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. 
 
Northwestern last met up with Minnesota Morris on Wednesday, Oct. 30 when they erupted to a 3-0 win over the Cougars. The Eagles were in search of a sweep to secure the playoff's top seed and home court advantage – and they proved unstoppable in achieving it. The Eagles put together a dominant three-set win to clinch a share of the UMAC regular season title. 
 
In tonight's contest, Jenay Fuglestad (Maple Grove, Minn./Heritage Christian) put together a dominant first set, recording seven kills enroute to UNW's 25-23 win. The Eagles fed off the 1-0 lead, putting together an early 6-0 start to go up 13-7. Northwestern never looked back, hitting a consistent .270 in the set led by Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) with five kills to coast to a 26-16 win.

The Eagles continued to control play in set three as freshman Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) put together a dominant performance. Hardy had seven kills in set three alone and finished with 12 on the night. Jenay Fuglestad (Maple Grove, Minn./Heritage Christian) led the UNW offense, knocking in 15 kills while hitting a .556 average. Fuglestad was named the UMAC tournament MVP after leading the Eagles to the tournament title.

Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 37 assists in the win, while Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) led the defensive efforts after picking up 19 digs. 

Minnesota Morris ends the 2019 season with a 16-12 overall record. The University of Northwestern returns to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in the past 10 years. 

The Eagles receive the UMAC automatic qualifier to the NCAA postseason and will learn their postseason fate on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. at ncaa.com. Stay up to date with all things UNW volleyball by visiting www.unweagles.com or follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @unwvb.