ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The University of Northwestern women's volleyball team competed in the NCCAA Dl National Championship game Saturday afternoon against the Bethel University Pilots. The game ended with a tough loss for the Eagles, falling in five, 25-19, 25-21, 25-27, 23-25, 17-19.
 
Throughout the tournament both teams went 3-0 against all opponents besides each dropping one set in the semi-final matches on Friday evening. The Pilots finish 20-4 on the season, while the Eagles fall to 14-5.
 
This is the first time Northwestern has competed in the championship game of the NCCAA tournament. The last year Bethel was in the tournament was in 2012.
 
The first set didn't come as a surprise as both teams were ready to compete in the championship game. Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) started things out for the Eagles before a few Pilot points. 
 
With 11 ties and six lead changes, no point came easy for either team. Soleil Newland (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids - Rice) buried a ball to go up 20-15 on the Pilots.
 
After a few hard fought points, UNW took the first set 25-19. The Eagles had 16 kills to the Pilots 10.
 
Bethel took the first two points of set two before a Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) point. The Pilots stayed ahead by six at the most before UNW kept driving to tie things up at 14 with a six point run. 
 
With Bethel staying close behind them, Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) and Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) brought the Eagles within two of their second set.
 
Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) and Kiera Brown (Columbia Falls, Mont./Columbia Falls) had a solid double block to bring Northwestern to their second set win, 25-21. The Eagles had just four errors to the Pilots eight.
 
UNW took an early lead in set three up 4-2 over the Pilots. Continuing in the same pattern, Northwestern extended their lead to 10-4 and went on a six point run. 
 
As the Pilots inched within a few of the Eagles, the score was tied up at 15. UNW found themselves up 19-17 with much dedication to staying on track. Bethel stayed close behind tying things up at 20. They went on to take set three 27-25, winning with a big comeback.
 
It was much of the same from set one with 11 ties and three lead changes.
 
Set four was much the same as UNW went ahead early and stayed on top, although the Pilots did not give up and stayed in the fight. Bethel inched ahead to take the lead for the first time this set, 20-19.
 
With a National Championship on the line, the Pilots did not give up and took the fourth set 25-23. Bethel took 15 kills to the Eagles 12.
 
The Pilots took point one of set number five and the next three after before a UNW timeout. Up 7-4 Bethel looked to take set five from the Eagles. A Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) kill brought Northwestern within four, 5-9.
UNW did not give up and tied things up at 13 again. The Eagles had four match points but could not capitalize and lost set five 17-15.
 
Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) finished the match with her career high 22 kills, Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) had 17 and Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) added 15. Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) had 22 digs and Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) had 20, which pushed her past the 1,000 digs mark. Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 64 assists (two short of her career high).

Senior Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) and Junior Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) both were named to the All-Tournament team.
 
Northwestern looks to continue their 2020 season in the spring with conference games.
 
For all things UNW volleyball visit www.unweagles.com or follow on Instagram and Twitter @unwvb.