HOLLAND, Mich. – No. 7 University of Northwestern Volleyball earned their biggest win of the season on Friday against No. 5 Calvin University at the Hope College Volleyball Tournament. The Eagles rallied to defeat the Knights 3-1 to improve to 9-0, remaining undefeated with their second win of the season against a top-ten opponent.
 
The Eagles started the first set strong, taking an early lead. The Knights settled in and took their first lead of the match at 7-6. UNW tied it up at 7-7, but from there Calvin went on a 15-2 run to take a 22-9 lead. Northwestern fought and earned four more kills, but the Knights took the opening set 25-13.
 
Having dropped a set for just the second time in nine matches this season, the Eagles had to respond emphatically and quickly. UNW did just that, as they flipped the script from the opener and took the second set. Up 18-15, Northwestern slammed the door by winning the final seven points to take set two 25-15.
 
Having rallied to tie the match at one set apiece, Northwestern looked to take the lead. The opening of the set was back-and-forth until UNW won three consecutive to take an 11-6 lead. The Knights rallied to get back within two at 15-13. At that point the momentum turned to Northwestern as they went on a six-point run, taking a 21-13 lead. Calvin fought to get back into it, but the Eagle lead proved insurmountable as UNW took set three 25-19.
 
Needing just one more set to win against the No. 5 team in the nation, the Eagles kept up the fight. Calvin took a 10-9 lead in the fourth, but Northwestern responded with a five-point run to take a 14-10 lead. The Knights rallied and tied the match up at 16-16, at which point Coach Beth Wilmeth called a timeout to steady her team.
 
UNW leaped back into action with two kills and an ace to go up 19-16, causing Calvin to call their own timeout. The Eagles kept up the attack and reached match-point at 24-18. With their backs to the wall, the Knights went on an incredible six-point run to tie the match at 24-24. Despite Calvin's rally, UNW kept their composure and began trading points with the Knights. At 27-27, Ari Schmidt (Albany, Minn./Holdingford) recorded back-to-back kills to win the set 29-27 for Northwestern and secure the match win over Calvin. ­­­­­­­
 
Abby Glanzer (Brandon, S.D./Sioux Falls Christian) led the Eagles offense with 17 kills on .429 hitting and a team-high three aces. The sophomore also had the second-most digs for UNW with 10 in the contest. Schmidt followed with 16 kills on .419 hitting. Gabrielle Straub (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) recorded 13 kills on .429 hitting.
 
Grace Strickfaden (Norwood-Young America, Minn./NYA) and Hannah Gadient (Goodhue, Minn./Goodhue) combined for 45 assists with 25 and 20 respectively.
 
Marylyn Schroyer (Ft. Collins, Colo./Ft. Collins) led the defensive effort with 25 digs. The senior added eight assists and two kills on .667 hitting in the match. Up front, Marley Aune (New Brighton, Minn./Avail Academy) had six block assists and Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) followed closely with five. As a team, the Eagles recorded 18 block assists and one solo block to Calvin's nine and zero.
 
Up next for No. 7 Northwestern are two matches on Saturday, September 17. The Eagles take on Clarkson on Saturday morning, followed by a match against tournament host No. 9 Hope at noon.