MORRIS, Minn. – The No. 17 nationally ranked University of Northwestern volleyball team won their 20th overall match and improved to 9-0 in conference play on Saturday with a 3-1 (21-25, 25-14, 25-15, 25-21) win over the Minnesota Morris Cougars. The match marked the first time this season the Eagles dropped a set against a conference opponent, bringing UNW's incredible streak of eight consecutive UMAC sweeps to a close. Nonetheless, the Eagles are undefeated against conference competition and have a 27-1 advantage in sets won.
 
The opening set saw Morris strike quickly, jumping out to a 12-5 lead. Northwestern settled midway through the set and rallied late, but by then the Cougar lead was too much to overcome as UMM took the first set 25-21.
 
Set two saw a return to form for the Eagles as they steadily climbed their way to a 25-14 win, highlighted by a five point run to go up 17-9 and then a four point run to close out the set.
 
In the third, the Cougars started out strong and took a 6-3 lead. UNW adapted faster in the third than they did in the first and proceeded to take a 9-8 lead that they would never relinquish. Four separate runs of three points highlighted the set for Northwestern as they earned a 25-15 win to go up 2-1 in the match.
 
The fourth set was a rollercoaster. UNW looked to be on their way to another efficient win when they broke a 7-7 tie with six consecutive points, taking a 13-7 lead. However, the Cougars battled back and tied the match at 18-18 and again at 19-19. Needing just six points to win the match, the Eagles went on a 6-2 run to take the match 3-1 and stay undefeated against UMAC opponents.
 
Gabrielle Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) led the Eagles' attack with .371 hitting for 17 kills, adding 13 digs when defending. Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACCRAY) recorded 57 assists in the three sets for an astronomical 14.25 per set average. Abby Glanzer (Brandon, S.D./Sioux Falls Christian) had a team-best 23 kills for an average of 5.75 per set. Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) led the Eagles with 20 digs.
 
Up next for No. 17 Northwestern is the UNW Triangular, which they host on Tuesday, October 19. The Eagles open the triangular against Loras College at 3 p.m. and then close it out at 7 p.m. against No. 25 Gustavus Adolphus College.