ST. PAUL-- The Wartburg volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season to No. 10 Northwestern (Minn.) Wednesday. The Eagles prevailed in straights sets, 25-20, 25-16, and 25-16. The Knights are now 5-1 on the season and UNW is 7-3. This was the highest ranked opponent the Orange and Black had faced since they hosted then-No. 18 Northwestern on Oct. 29, 2016.
Senior Aryn Jones (Marion) was the lone hitter in double digit kills with 10. Classmate Maria Brown (Peosta) had 14 assists, while freshman Katie Foster (Charles City) and junior Lizzy Blough (Dike) had 12 and 11 digs, respectively.
As a team, Wartburg held the team advantage in blocks, 7-5.
In the first set, the score was tied eight times, including at 19-19. The Knights came within one point at 21-20 until the Eagles scored four-straight points to claim the frame.
UNW was able to build an early lead in the next two sets that the Orange and Black were unable to whittle.
Wartburg returns to competition in its home opener Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Augsburg in its annual Knights Classic tournament.
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