ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The University of Northwestern women's volleyball team took the court for a second time Friday as they looked forward to make it to the Championship contest on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles took on Grace College and would win two sets before dropping the third, but finishing the match in four, 28-26, 25-21, 23-25, 25-17.
 
Earlier on in the evening, Bethel University (Ind.) defeated Dallas Baptist University 3-1 to move on to the Championship game. The Grace Lancers placed second in their pool to make it to the semi-final game against Northwestern.
 
UNW began the set on their toes as Grace came out strong. As the Lancers took a four point lead, the Eagles would inch back within one, 15-16. A Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) kill and Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) block brought Northwestern within one of Grace.
 
Two more Straub kills and a Lancers error tied the score at 20 a piece before Kallie Schwitters would push the lead back in Northwestern's favor, 21-20.
 
With the score going back and forth, everyone was tied at 24 before Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) made a push to the back corner to go ahead by one. The Eagles continued to push ahead by one only to be tied up by the Lancers before Gabby Straub's (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) kill and a double block for UNW took the first set, 28-26.
 
In set two, Northwestern found themselves down four until a pair of aces and blocks tied things up at 6 apiece. Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) gave the Eagles the lead as the team built on her energy to go on a five point run before the Lancers broke their stride.
 
Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) hit one home for Northwestern to go up 14-11. Marylyn Schroyer's (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) extraordinary passing abilities set up the attack well to continue their lead for UNW.
 
Although the Eagles hit the 20 point mark first, Grace took advantage of two aces to tie things back up. They didn't give up as four straight points gave them the second game, 25-21.
 
The Lancers scored the first point of the third set as the game continued to stay neck-and-neck. The Eagles found their stride and went ahead 11-7.
 
A pair of Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) kills and Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) serves continued things for the Northwestern. As the two teams battled, Grace came within one of UNW before Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) pushed the team ahead yet again, 20-17. 
 
The Lancers kept close and took the lead 23-22 before a tie up by the Eagles. Grace went ahead yet again 24-23 and took the third set 25-23. The first set taken from Northwestern in the tournament.
 
UNW took things into their own hands starting set four going up 5-2. The Lancers got one point in before Northwestern went on a five point run.
 
Finishing with grit, the Eagles prevailed and finished set four on top 25-17.
 
Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) finished with an impressive 20 kills with a .432 average on the night. Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) had a solid 15 kills averaging .387 and Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) added 13.
 
Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) had 24 digs and Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 41 assists.
 
Northwestern moves to 14-4 on the season and advances to the NCCAA Dl National Championship game Saturday afternoon beginning at 2 pm. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, fans are not allowed into the game.
 
You can follow along at here with live video or here for live stats.
 
For all things women's volleyball visit www.unweagles.com or follow them on Instagram and Twitter at @unwvb.