ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The University of Northwestern women's volleyball team began plan in the NCCAA Dl National Tournament late Thursday night as they took on Dallas Baptist University (DBU). Dallas Baptist plays in the Lone Star Conference and finished fourth in their 2019 season.
 
The tournament consists of eight teams competing for a NCCAA Dl National Title. Pool play takes place on Thursday and Friday morning before the semi-final matches Friday evening. Saturday afternoon the championship game will begin at 2 pm. This is the eighth time Northwestern has competed in the NCCAA National Tournament, the last time being 2009.
 
The match began with a huge 12-4 start for the Eagles putting together a few long serving streaks, pushing the Patriots on their heels. Northwestern doubled DBU's score to make it 18-9 in the first set, coming out ready to play.
 
UNW put together an impressive first game smashing Dallas Baptist 25-11. Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) had five kills and Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) and Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) added three each. Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 13 assists.
 
Set two started back and forth for the Eagles and Patriots before Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) had an ace to give UNW a two point lead that would turn into an 8-3 score. DBU scratched their way within two of Northwestern and tied things up 11-11.
 
A kill by Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) and an ace by Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) pushed the Eagles ahead 17-13 over the Patriots.
 
Northwestern inched ahead with a few Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) kills, 21-16. Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) pushed the Eagles to 24 with a kill and Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) ended the second set with a strong serve, 25-18.
 
Set three UNW came strong going up 5-1 on the Patriots. After a few hard fought points, DBU tied the score 6-6. Dallas Baptist took their first lead of the match 7-6 before the Eagles took the lead right back.
 
Scoring went back and forth between teams until Northwestern pulled ahead 15-12. Things were tied up at 16 a piece before Talia Gruthusen (Dryer, Ind./Lake Central) made a play in the Eagles favor. UNW found their stride going up by five, 20-15.
 
It was a team effort by all Eagles to finish set three downing the Patriots 25-20.
 
Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) led UNW with 15 kills while Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) added 10 and Talia Gruthusen (Dryer, Ind./Lake Central) had eight. Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 41 assists and Marylyn Schwitters picked up her 1,000th dig this evening and finished with 23 in the match.
 
The Eagles will take on Columbia International University on Friday afternoon at 2 pm. In their last contest, CIU lost to Dallas Baptist in five.
 
Stay up to date with the NCCAA Dl National Tournament here.
 
For all things UNW women's volleyball follow along at www.unweagles.com or on Instagram and Twitter at @unwwvb.