ST. PAUL, Minn. – University of Northwestern Volleyball opened their 2021 fall regular season at home on Wednesday against UW-Eau Claire.
 
The Eagles and Blugolds battled in front of an energized crowd, with UWEC just managing to take each of three sets by the slimmest margin of victory. Each set was decided by no more than two points, with the Blugolds just managing to fend of the Eagles 25-23, 25-23, 30-28.
 
Abby Glanzer (Brandon, S.D./Sioux Falls Christian) led the Eagles with 15 kills in the contest. Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACCRAY) had a team-high 31 assists in the contest as the primary setter. Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) paced UNW in digs with 25 on the night.
 
The Eagles and Blugolds traded leads in the first set, with UNW leading 17-14 at one point. UWEC rallied to take a 20-17 lead, but Northwestern fought back as each team won no more than two consecutive points for the remainder of the set, though the Blugold held on for the 25-23 win.
 
The second set saw much of the same, though this time the Blugolds took an early 9-4 lead. Undaunted, the Eagles battled back to tie it up at 19-19. Once more each team traded points down the stretch, but once more Eau Claire just managed to grab a narrow 25-23 win.
 
After a thrilling first two sets, the third upped the ante as a 58-point thriller. As in the second, the Blugolds took an early lead, going up 11-7. The Eagles responded by rallying for a 16-15 lead, and held off UWEC until the match was tied at 19-19.
 
The final stretch was both a thriller and a nail biter as the teams exchanged points beyond 25. Trailing 24-22, the Eagles rallied to take a 25-24 lead which threatened to bring the roof down with how much energy the crowd was feeding the players. Eau Claire and Northwestern would trade off points, with UNW earning three set points while fending off UWEC on three of their four match points as the contest was finally settled at 30-28.
 
Prior to the match, the Eagles honored their three senior players for Senior Night. Karly Fehr (Morris, Minn./Morris), Hope Kapelke (Ft. Atkinson, Wis./Ft. Atkinson), and Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACCRAY) were all recognized for their tremendous contributions to the program.
 
The Eagles won't have to wait long for another chance at a win as Northwestern hosts the Katherine Pals Invitational this weekend, starting Friday at 3 p.m. in the Ericksen Center.