ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn. - The (RV) University of Northwestern Volleyball team wrapped up a four-match conference road trip Saturday afternoon by traveling to Crown College, looking to remain unbeaten in UMAC play. The Polars gave the Eagles fits in St. Paul earlier this month, and gave them a scare in the first set of the rematch as well. But Northwestern was able to regroup and cruise the rest of the way, sweeping Crown by a 29-27, 25-14, 25-15 score.
Crown was hot from the start, jumping out to an 8-3 lead in set one. A 6-0 run for the Eagles, featuring a kill and two blocks from
Abbie Brand (Pella, Iowa/Pella), put the visitors in front, and a 5-0 run moments later made it appear UNW would run away with the set. But the Polars rattled off six straight to storm back in front, delighting the home crowd. Northwestern scored the next three to take a 23-21 lead, but Crown was again able to punch back and extend the set. With the score tied at 27,
Norah Jaeb (Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong) decided to take matters into her own hands, teaming up with
Miranda Wyatt (Manhattan, Mont./Manhattan Christian) for a block and recording a kill to escape, 29-27.
The Eagles raced out to an 8-3 lead in the second set and never looked back. Consecutive
Libby Weckman (Shakopee, Minn./Southwest Christian) aces helped the margin grow to double digits at 14-4, and back-to-back kills from Brand and
Addeson Jenniges (Walnut Grove, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) stretched it to 11. The Polars were able to get back within single digits a couple of times, but strong play from Wyatt and Egge at the net closed out the 25-14 win.
The third set was tight early on, but
Elese Paplow's (Lakefield, Minn./Jackson County Central) two aces sparked a 10-0 onslaught that put Northwestern ahead 17-8 and took the wind out of Crown's sails. Egge and
Anja Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) each tallied multiple kills down the stretch to finish off the sweep with a 25-15 win.
Egge finished the match with nine kills, four digs and an ace, while Wyatt hit .412 for eight kills and four blocks.
Anna Olsen's (Randolph, Minn./Randolph) seven kills came on .583 hitting, and Brand and Jarchow chipped in four and three blocks, respectively. Costello served up an ace and recorded a match-high 14 digs, while Weckman added seven digs, three aces and 15 assists. Jenniges led the way with 18 assists, and Paplow contributed a pair of aces.
Grace Moravchik (Mason, Wis./Ashland) also tallied seven digs.
After four-consecutive road matches, UNW will return home for a big showdown in the Ericksen Center next week. The Eagles will host (RV) St. Olaf at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 28th.
