ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The University of Northwestern women's volleyball team began competition on Friday against Columbia International University. CIU finished third in the Appalachian Athletics Conference this season. UNW was electric, downing the AAC opponent in straight sets with scores of 25-13, 25-15 and 25-20.
 
This is the second pool play for the Eagles in the NCCAA Dl National Tournament taking place November 19-21. Northwestern moves to 13-4 on the season as the Rams fall to 12-8.
 
In the first set of play UNW brought the same energy from the day before out-scoring Columbia 25-13. The Eagles hit a .355 average with 16 kills toal. With only two lead changes in the beginning of the set, Northwestern led by as many as 12. Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) added four kills hitting an impressive .800 in set one.
 
UNW wouldn't let up as set two began with much of the same. Getting out to a 9-4 lead on the Rams, they would not trail all game. The Eagles continued to dominate and take advantage of the Rams errors. Set two ended Northwestern on top 25-15.
 
Set three finished the same as the first two as UNW was victorious defeating the Rams, 25-20.
 
Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) and Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) each finished with 12 kills in the match and Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) added eight. Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 41 assists and Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) had 21 digs.
 
With the sweep, Northwestern moves onto the semi-final game Friday evening beginning at 8 pm.

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.