ST. PAUL, Minn. – No. 5 University of Northwestern Volleyball hosted Martin Luther College on Saturday for their regular season finale. The Eagles swept the Knights 3-0 to complete a perfect 14-0 season in UMAC play. UNW not only won every match against a conference opponent played during the season, but made history by becoming the first team in both program and UMAC history to win every conference match by 3-0 sweep; going 42-0 in sets played.
In addition to their incredible achievements in the UMAC, the Eagles finished the regular season with a 28-2 record for a .933 winning percentage; the best in the 50-year history of the program.
Against Martin Luther, the Eagles jumped ahead 11-4 with a six-point run in the opening set. The Knights battled back to cut their deficit to three down 14-11, but UNW powered through to a 25-16 win in set one.
After a strong first-set performance, the Eagles found even more success in set two. Highlighted by a five runs of three or more points in a row, UNW soared to a 25-11 win to go up 2-0 in the match.
On the cusp of making history, Northwestern started the third set on fire by winning the first seven points. The Knights momentarily halted the Eagle onslaught with a three-point run, but UNW answered with a dominant 10-point run to go up by 14 up 17-3. The massive lead would prove more than enough as the Eagles soared to a 25-10 third-set win to take the match 3-0; the 14
th sweep against a conference opponent in as many matches.
Abby Glanzer (Brandon, S.D./Sioux Falls Christian) led the Eagles with 10 kills on .476 hitting.
Felicia Luther (Victoria, Minn./Southwest Christian) had a team-high 17 assists with
Grace Strickfaden (Norwood-Young America, Minn./NYA) following with 14.
Marley Aune (New Brighton, Minn./Avail Academy) had six total blocks in the match, recording three solo and three assisted.
Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) had 19 digs to lead UNW.
Up next, No. 5 Northwestern will enter the UMAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Eagles will host Bethany Lutheran on Wednesday night in the Ericksen Center for a tournament semifinal match.