ST. PAUL, Minn. - You couldn't ask for a better conference-opening matchup, as the (RV) University of Northwestern Volleyball team squared off with the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Friday in the UMAC Game of the Week to begin its 2025 UMAC campaign. The Ericksen Center was buzzing as the top two teams from a year ago, and the forecasted top two teams this season, went to battle on the opening night of conference play. The visiting Yellowjackets stunned the Eagle faithful by taking the first set, but the undaunted Eagles, fresh off a win at No. 3 UW-Oshkosh, rallied to win the next three and win their third-consecutive match.
It was clear from the jump that Superior didn't come to St. Paul to roll over, as it took a 10-7 lead despite a hot start from
Anja Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) and
Anna Olsen (Randolph, Minn./Randolph). A 7-1 run ballooned the three-point lead to 19-12, and UNW was never able to fully recover. The home team did trim the deficit to 22-18 after a pair of Olsen kills and an ace from
Elese Paplow (Lakefield, Minn./Jackson County Central), but UWS claimed the next three points to slam the door shut on any chance of a comeback. Olsen finished the set with four kills and Jarchow three.
UW-Superior seemed ready to run away with things after opening the second set with three-consecutive points, but
Marley Aune (New Brighton, Minn./Avail Academy) helped steady the ship with a trio of kills to tie it at five. The Yellowjackets went up by three again, but Northwestern ripped off a 5-1 run to edge back in front, 11-10. An 8-2 run moments later lit a fire in the Ericksen Center crowd, as Jarchow racked up two kills and a block to make it 19-14. Superior cut it two two late, but kills from Jarchow and
Miranda Wyatt (Manhattan, Mont./Manhattan Christian) helped close out the 25-21 win to even things up.
Set three began tight as well with Jarchow continuing to cook, but a 5-0 UNW run seemed to put
Beth Wilmeth's squad in full control. UWS had other ideas, responding with four-in-a-row to close the gap, but an 8-1 surge by the hosts made it match point, as Aune and
Ana Egge (Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Christian) each chipped in a kill and a block. Wyatt delivered the final blow of the 25-17 victory to give Northwestern a 2-1 advantage.
Wyatt and Aune were the focal points of the Eagles' attack early in set four as the teams were deadlocked in a 10-10 tie. However, a 10-2 run broke the floodgates open and put UNW firmly in the driver's seat. Olsen had three kills in the spurt while Jarchow added two. Aune closed out the match with a kill and a block as Northwestern cruised to a 25-14 win in the fourth and final frame.
Aune (who hit .400) and Jarchow each tallied 13 kills, while adding four and two blocks, respectively. Olsen finished with 11 kills and Wyatt 10, with each chipping in three blocks. Egge also finished with three blocks to go along with eight kills.
Hannah Rich (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) led the back row with 14 digs and an ace, while Moravchik logged 12 digs.
Addeson Jenniges (Walnut Grove, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) finished with 49 assists and Paplow two aces.
The Eagles will be back in action Saturday as they make the short trip downtown to take on North Central at 5:00 PM. The game will be available on the UMAC Sports Network.
