ST. PAUL, Minn. - The stage for Wednesday night's volleyball match inside the Ericksen Center was so perfectly set, it would be easy to believe it was scripted. The University of Northwestern came in red-hot, winners of six straight--including over No. 3 and No. 20 in the country--and receiving more votes in this week's AVCA Top-25 Poll than they have all season. The opponent that awaited the Eagles in the mid-week clash? No. 8 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, who ended UNW's 2024 season with a sweep in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. However; while Northwestern came in on a winning streak, the Blugolds were fresh off just their second loss of the season. While Wednesday's match was much more competitive than last November's season-ender, Eau Claire was still able to emerge the victor by a 3-1 margin.
UWEC came out scorching hot despite a passionate crowd opposing it, using three early aces to take a 15-6 lead in the opening set. A hot streak by
Ana Egge (Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Christian), the reigning UMAC Offensive Player of the Week, pulled the Eagles within six at 21-15, but it was too late for a comeback to be had against the talented Blugolds, as the visitors closed out the first set in convincing fashion, 25-16.
UNW showed some fire to begin set two, getting two kills and a block from
Marley Aune (New Brighton, Minn./Avail Academy) to open up a 5-2 lead. UW-Eau Claire continued to linger, but wasn't able to actually tie the set until a 3-0 run made it 14-14. Northwestern answered with a blistering 8-2 surge to take back the momentum for good, highlighted by three Egge kills, two from
Anna Olsen (Randolph, Minn./Randolph), and three aces (two consecutive from Aune and one from
Addeson Jenniges (Walnut Grove, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove)). A
Miranda Wyatt (Manhattan, Mont./Manhattan Christian) block and kills from Olsen and Aune closed out a much-needed 25-18 win for the hosts.
The third set was a classic, showcasing two of the nation's best. Both squads went on mini runs early before Eau Claire rattled off five straight to open up a 13-9 advantage. The Eagles chipped away at the deficit thanks to strong play at the net and aces from Egge and
Mikayla Wilber (Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids), eventually pulling within one on two occasions. But the Blugolds were able to prevail, winning the entertaining set by a score of 25-21.
The two teams continued to trade blows like prize fighters early in set four as Aune continued to play well on both sides of the net. Eventually, UWEC went on a 4-0 run to go up by five and never looked back, as the closest Northwestern would get the rest of the way would be three points. Olsen and Egge did everything they could to keep UNW afloat, but the Blugolds pulled away for a 25-18 win to close out the match.
Egge came off the bench to lead the offensive attack with 14 kills to go along with three blocks and an ace. Olsen finished with 13 kills and three blocks, while Aune tallied eight and five, respectively, as well as two aces. Wyatt contributed four blocks and Wilber led the team in both digs (13) and aces (3). Jenniges tallied 32 assists and two aces herself. The Eagles were able to defeat Eau Claire in both blocks (10-8) and aces (8-7) on the night.
Northwestern will continue non-conference play Saturday with a trip to Concordia-Moorhead. First serve is slated for 5:00 PM.
