DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Northwestern volleyball team competed in a pair of matches Saturday afternoon when they traveled down to Dubuque, Iowa to take on Peru State and Clarke University. The Eagles dominated Peru State, winning the match 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-15) and then took down Clarke in similar fashion, beating them 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-16).

Northwestern 3, Peru State 0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-15)

After losing the first point, UNW would bounce back and take the next nine points to go up 9-1. The remainder of the set would go back and forth, but the Eagles would maintain a big lead to secure the set 25-13 and go up 1-0.  

Set two saw Peru State come on strong and force multiple lead changes throughout the set but, Northwestern would hit their stride late and score five straight points thanks to three kills from sophomore Lucy Pelzel (St. Joseph, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral). UNW would go on to take the set 25-19 and go up 2-0 on the match.

In the final set, the Eagles dominated, while only giving up the lead once throughout the set. They would go on to take the set, 25-16, and win the match 3-0.

Northwestern had 38 team kills during the match, hitting .271% compared to Peru State's .037%. 

Lucy Pelzel (St. Joseph, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral) tied for the lead in kills with eight, while also leading the team in aces (three). Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) would also record eight kills while Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) added seven kills and 10 digs.

Junior, Hope Kapelke (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) would dish out a team high 30 assists in the match while Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) would go on to lead the team in digs with 16.

Northwestern 3, Clarke 0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-16)

UNW was back at it against Clarke University after taking down Peru State earlier in the day. Different team, same story for the Eagles as they would go on to win the match 3-0.

Northwestern took control of the first set going up 6-1 early. Clarke wouldn't back down, taking the next six points to tie up the set. The Eagles would dominate the rest of the match, taking it 25-15 and going up 1-0.

Set two saw 10 lead changes, but UNW didn't give up and took the set 26-24, bringing the match to 2-0. The final set had the Eagles once again going up early and not letting go of the lead during the set. Northwestern would go on to have 13 kills in the final set and take it 25-16 to win the match 3-0.

Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) led the team in kills with 12, while adding 10 digs and one ace. Lucy Pelzel (St. Joseph, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral) added nine kills and five blocks. Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) finished the match with nine kills.

Hope Kapelke (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) once again led the team in assists, dishing out 33 and popping up five digs. Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) added four assists and came away with the team high of 24 digs. Caitlyn Pruis (Sioux Falls, SD./Sioux Falls Christian) contributed seven strong blocks for the match.

The Eagles have now won four in a row and are 4-2 on the 2020 season.

Northwestern will look to continue their winning streak on September 26 when they take on Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. For all things UNW volleyball visit www.unweagles.com or follow the Eagles on Instagram and Twitter at @unwvb.