MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Northwestern women's volleyball finished up regular season play on the road at the University of Minnesota Morris Thursday night. Recording a perfect 8-0 record in conference play, the Eagles garnered UMAC Regular Season Champions for the 10th year in a row. Finishing the regular season with a bang sweeping Morris, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21.

UNW improves to 23-5 overall and moves into UMAC Conference Tournament action with a nine game win streak. The No. 16 nationally ranked squad has now won at least a share of 13 of the last 14 UMAC regular season titles (See full UMAC Story HERE).

After a closely contested first set, the Eagles rolled in the second and third sets led by a strong outing from Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) who collected 12 kills and hit .478. 

The first set began with a four point Cougars run before Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) recorded her first kill of the night. Northwestern trailed for the first half of the set until a Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) kill tied the score up at 12. The Eagles did not trail again, finishing on a Kate Rogers (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) ace to head to set two. Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) had six of her 12 kills in set one and hit .500.

In set two UNW got ahead early up 7-3 before Morris battled back to within one twice and took the lead for a mere two points. The two teams took turns scoring points until the Eagles went up four, 19-15. The Cougars scored three straight points to come within two but ultimately Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) finished the set with a kill, 25-20.

Set three began with six score ties, the last coming at 9-9 before UNW pulled ahead with a three-point run led by Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY). The Cougars came within one only one time as the Eagles were unstoppable downing eight kills and two aces to end the match, 25-20.

Sophomore, Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria), who finished with 12 kills (.478), two aces and three blocks, led Northwestern to their ninth straight win. Senior, Kalley Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./Central Christian) had 11 kills and sophomore, Gabby Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) added eight. Kate Rogers (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) ended the night with three aces and Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACRAY) dished out 38 assists. Sophomore, Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) had 21 digs on the night and the Eagles recorded seven aces to the Cougars two.

UNW will be back in action next Thursday evening as they take on the winner of the quarterfinal round of the UMAC Tournament which begins on April 5. Northwestern will host the game inside the Ericksen Center on Thursday beginning at 7 pm.

For all things Eagles volleyball fans can visit www.unweagles.com or follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @unwvb.