MORRIS, Minn. – The term "letdown game" has become a popular one in the sports world, when a team coming off a big win overlooks its next opponent who most expect it to beat. Let's just say that term did not apply to the (RV) University of Northwestern Volleyball team on Saturday at the University of Minnesota Morris, coming off a win at No. 20 Gustavus Adolphus College on Wednesday. After surviving a tight first set, the Eagles rolled to a sweep of the Cougars to improve to 10-5 on the season and 3-0 in the UMAC.
Some may have been curious about a letdown early in set one, as Morris jumped out to a 7-3 lead. Northwestern was able to chip away and tie it at 10 before a
Miranda Wyatt (Manhattan, Mont./Manhattan Christian) kill gave UNW its first lead of the afternoon. The margin remained within two points on either side until a 5-1 Eagles run gave them match point at 24-21.
Anja Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) finished off the set at 25-22 with her sixth kill of the frame.
There was no sleepwalking in the second set, as Northwestern raced out to a 9-3 lead behind two aces from
Ella Bourne (Clara City, Minn./MACCRAY), as well as two kills and two blocks from
Marley Aune (New Brighton, Minn./Avail Academy). A 9-1 UNW run that featured two more aces made it 22-8, and Aune closed it out with a kill at 25-12.
The beginning of set three was a lot closer than its predecessor, but more strong play at the net from Jarchow, plus an Aune ace, gave the Eagles an 11-5 advantage. A 6-0 run moments later put Northwestern firmly in control at 18-7, but UMM tried to mount one final comeback, scoring six of seven to pull within six points. UNW responded with a 6-1 surge to close it out, 25-14, ending the match with back-to-back aces from
Mikayla Wilber (Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids).
Jarchow led the attack with a career-high 14 kills and two blocks on .343 hitting, while Aune added nine kills (.500 hitting), two blocks and an ace. Egge hit .462 on her way to six kills, while Wyatt contributed a pair of blocks.
Addeson Jenniges (Walnut Grove, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) dished out 33 assists with nine digs and an ace, and was joined in service aces by Wilber (3), Bourne (2) and Rich (1). Moravchik led the team in digs with 10.
Northwestern will return to non-conference play for another ranked matchup Wednesday when it hosts No. 5 UW-Eau Claire. First serve in the Ericksen Center is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
