ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern volleyball team competed in a pair of matches as they welcomed Valley City State University to the Ericksen Center for Saturday afternoon action. The Eagles were electric, downing the NAIA opponent in straight sets with scores of 25-22, 25-15 and 25-17, followed by another match where UNW pulled away with a 3-1 win.
 
Lone senior Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) was honored prior to the start of today's matches. Kalley has left her mark on the Eagles volleyball program. As a four-year member of the UNW team, she has been a part of two UMAC Regular Season Championships, one NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance, two NCAA Tournament appearances and has gone 38-2, in conference play in her career. Collectively, Schwitters has recorded 598 kills and 871 digs. She was named UMAC defensive player of the week in 2018, part of the 2019 All-Conference second team and the UMAC's offensive player of the week in 2019.
 
Northwestern 3, Valley City 0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-17)

After an ace by Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY), set one would consists of ten tied scores and four lead changes in which the Eagles took the set 25-22. Sophomore Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) put down six kills to lead UNW, while Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian), Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) and Caitlyn Pruis (Sioux Falls, SD./Sioux Falls Christian) all added three. Northwestern hit a .304 average and kept the momentum going into set two.
 
The Eagles took the lead early in set two before the Vikings would tie it up early. Northwestern would continue to control the pace – recording 15 kills to Valley city's 10 enroute to a 25-15 win. The Eagles were on a role as they had two 5 point runs and never trailed in the set.
 
The Vikings couldn't contain UNW as they jumped out to a 17-7 lead. A well-rounded effort featured strong performances from a trio of Eagles. Sophomore Lucy Pelzel (St. Joseph, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral) led the pack with four kills while senior Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) and freshman Karissa Molitor (Castle Rock, Colo./Ponderosa) both added three.

Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 38 assists in the three-setter. Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) led the way defensively, picking up 17 digs, while Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) added 16. The team ended with four service aces in match one.
 
Northwestern 3, Valley City 1 (25-6, 25-17, 20-25, 25-18)
 
Following the Eagle's three-set sweep with the Vikings, they were right back at it for the second match. Northwestern took the first two sets before Valley City would sneak away with the third. UNW would end the second match in the fourth set with a 25-18 score.
 
The Eagles were dominant in set one, hitting .520 as a team with no errors. UNW kept up the offensive consistency in set two recording 14 kills to Valley City's seven. Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) led the Eagles to a 14-0 run to end the set 25-6.
 
While the Vikings rallied to take the third set 25-20, Northwestern came back in set four with determination. The Eagles would go up 3-1 to start the fourth and added to their lead consistently. Cailtyn Pruis recorded six kills, while Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) added four.
 
Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 31 assists, while Hope Kapelke (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) added 14. Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) picked up 28 digs and Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) added four aces.
 
UNW moves to 2-2 on the year as the Vikings fall to 0-5 this season.
 
Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 19 when they travel to Dubuque, Iowa to take on NAIA opponents, Peru State College and Clarke University. First serve is slated for 3 p.m. Follow the action live here: https://team1sports.com/clarke/
 
For all things UNW volleyball, visit www.unweagles.com or follow the Eagles on Instagram and Twitter at @unwvb.