SUPERIOR, Wis. – For the 14
th-consecutive year, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament will go through St. Paul. By defeating the University of Wisconsin-Superior, 3-1, on Saturday, the University of Northwestern clinched at least a share of its 15
th-consecutive UMAC regular season title, and also secured the top seed in the upcoming UMAC Volleyball Tournament.
It certainly wasn't a wire-to-wire domination, as the second-place Yellowjackets were the aggressors early and used a 14-3 explosion explosion to take a 20-10 lead in the opening set. UNW was able to claw back within seven at 24-17, but the task was too tall at set point, and UW-Superior closed it out at 25-17.
The Eagles, who also dropped the opening set to Superior in their conference opener in September, woke up and scored the first four points of the second set, including an ace from
Ella Bourne (Clara City, Minn./MACCRAY). The Jackets were able to tie it up at six, but another ace, this time from
Hannah Rich (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North), helped put Northwestern back in front, 9-6. UWS was able to surge in front, 18-15, but the seasoned Eagles were undeterred, getting back-to-back kills from
Miranda Wyatt (Manhattan, Mont./Manhattan Christian) and another from
Ana Egge (Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Christian) to even the score at 19. Two more Wyatt kills tied it again at 22, and after relenting the lead for a moment, Northwestern used a
Marley Aune (New Brighton, Minn./Avail Academy) kill and another Bourne ace to close the set on a 3-0 run to win, 25-23.
With the match tied, the stage was set for a gem of a third set, and the two UMAC heavyweights delivered. Neither team was able to separate by more than two points until late in the set, constantly trading points. Aune and Egge each had six kills in the set, which was tied at 19 before UNW broke it open with a 4-0 run. Egge's final two kills of the frame gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead in the match via a 25-22 win in set three.
With the momentum of two thrilling set wins on its side, Northwestern overpowered the Yellowjackets in set four. Aune continued her strong play at the net, helping UNW gain an 11-6 advantage. A 7-1 run highlighted by three
Anja Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) kills and two from Olsen put the visitors in firm control at 18-9, and they never looked back. The Eagles stretched their lead to double digits and Egge provided the kill shot to close it out, 25-13.
Egge, who has ramped up her offensive production this season, led the team with 16 kills and chipped in four blocks as well. Aune logged 12 kills and a game-high five blocks, while Jarchow contributed 10 kills. Wyatt and Olsen each tallied four blocks and
Addeson Jenniges (Walnut Grove, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) a match-high 46 assists.
Grace Moravchik (Mason, Wis./Ashland) continued a strong week defensively with a match-high 23 digs, the only Eagle in double figures in the category. Rich led the team with three aces, while Bourne finished with two and
Elese Paplow (Lakefield, Minn./Jackson County Central) one.
The 19-6 (10-0 UMAC) Eagles will play their final non-conference game of the regular season on Wednesday, November 5
th at Augsburg. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 PM in Minneapolis.
