SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – The University of Northwestern volleyball team competed in their first pair of non-conference match-ups for the year on Saturday. Due to Covid-19, the Eagles had to make alternative plans for the fall, but will be picking back up with conference play in the spring. The Eagles first took on Northwestern College, who last year ended up with a 32-2 overall record, before facing Dordt College in the evening. UNW fought hard, but was downed in 3 sets by the Raiders and then fell to Dordt in 4.
 
Northwestern College (Iowa) 3, Northwestern 0 (25-23, 25-18 and 25-23) | Box Score 1
 
Following 18 tied scores and a handful of lead changes, Northwestern College took set one 25-23. The Raiders held the advantage in the second set and ended up taking it 25-18. The Eagles fought back hard in the third set, going up early with the help of Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria), but were unable to hold off the Raiders who took the third set 25-23.
 
Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) put together nine kills, hitting .250. Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) added six, while Caitlyn Pruis (Sioux Falls, SD./Sioux Falls Christian) added five.
 
Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) was the lone Eagle to get double digit assists as she finished with 18, while also finishing with five digs. Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins), who tied for a team high of nine digs, also had a team-best three aces out of the 5 in total.
 
Dordt 3, Northwestern 1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-20 and 26-24) | Box Score 2

Following the Eagle's afternoon loss to Northwestern College, they were right back at it – taking on Dordt College. The Eagles battled back and forth with the Defenders before hitting their stride late and earning the last five points of the set to take it 25-20. The Eagles fought hard, but dropped the final three sets, 25-20, 25-20 and 26-24 to the Defenders.
 
Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) led the way for Northwestern, recording 15 kills, while Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) added 11 and Caitlyn Pruis (Sioux Falls, SD./Sioux Falls Christian) had nine.
 
Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out a team high 42 assists in the four-setter, while three Eagles, led by Marylyn Schroyer's (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) 21, recorded double-digit digs.
 
The Eagles will look to get back on track when they face Peru State and Clarke University on Saturday, September 19^th at 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. For all things Northwestern volleyball, visit www.unweagles.com or follow the Eagles on social at @unwvb on Instagram and Twitter.