VB 2009 Result: UMM 1, Northwestern 3

Northwestern 3
Minnesota, Morris 1 (17, 19, 25, 21)

Head coach Chad Braegelmann saw some excellent development in his team's play tonight at Northwestern College.

"We played really hard and smart and we didn't allow them to make big runs on us. That's been a problem in the past. Every time they scored a big point, we answered back."

But the excitement and intensity of the Cougars play was neutralized by poor hitting in the first two sets, allowing the Eagles to jump out to 2-0 lead. Morris hit -.059 and -.100 in sets one and two, committing more errors than kills.

The Cougars rallied in the third set (25-19) behind long service runs by Brita Humphrey and Jordan Olerud.

The fourth set stood at 16-15 when the Eagles went on a four point run and closed out the set and match 25-21.

The match win was Northwestern's 24th straight conference victory, but in the scheme of post-season play, the Cougars more important match lies tomorrow at Crown. Morris currently holds the final spot for the UMAC tournament, one game ahead of Martin Luther College.

Box Score

Statistical Leaders

Kills
Allie Humphrey 9
Jordan Olerud 9
Stephanie Schiesing 8

Sets
Natalie Thomas 30

Aces
Brita Humphrey 3
Allie Humphrey 2

Digs
Jen Bissel 11
Jordan Olerud 10