MINNEAPOLIS – After a big win Friday night to kick off its conference season, the University of Northwestern Volleyball team kept its momentum rolling Saturday by sweeping North Central University to improve to 2-0 in UMAC play and extend its winning streak to four games.
The Eagles held a close, 8-6 lead early in set one before a 14-2 surge put them in the driver's seat.
Anna Olsen (Randolph, Minn./Randolph),
Anja Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) and
Miranda Wyatt (Manhattan, Mont./Manhattan Christian) each had three kills in the sequence, with the latter adding a block as well.
Marley Aune (New Brighton, Minn./Avail Academy) closed the deal with two kills and a block down the stretch to give UNW a convincing, 25-11 win.
Northwestern started out hot in set two thanks to continued strong play at the net from Wyatt and an ace from
Ella Bourne (Clara City, Minn./MACCRAY). NCU was able to pull within a point at 9-8, but another Bourne ace and a couple more Wyatt kills gave the visitors a five-point cushion. The Eagles closed out the set with a 10-0 onslaught which featured two kills and a block from Wyatt, as well as a kill and an ace from Aune, which made it 25-11 once again.
Jarchow began the third set on a heater, picking up three kills in UNW's first four points. The Rams kept it close and even took a 12-10 lead, but Northwestern edged back in front after a flurry of kills by Wyatt and
Ava Van Gorp (St. Paul, Minn./Nova Classical), as well as an
Elese Paplow (Lakefield, Minn./Jackson County Central) ace. North Central refused to go away, regaining the lead, 20-17, before the Eagles were able to rattle off three straight to tie. With NCU ahead 23-22 moments later, UNW decided enough was enough and rallied to win 25-23 after consecutive kills from Jarchow and Olsen (twice).
Wyatt was outstanding, hitting .688 on her way to 12 kills and three blocks. Jarchow logged nine kills on .529 hitting, while Aune hit .412 for eight kills, five blocks and an ace. Olsen also tallied eight kills on .889 hitting. Bourne not only led the team in aces (2), but also digs (7). Paplow and
Hannah Rich (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) also aced the Rams. As a team, Northwestern hit a staggering .469 in the match.
The Eagles will face a tough test Wednesday night when they travel to No. 21 Gustavus Adolphus for a 7:00 PM match.
