MORRIS, Minn. – Minnesota Morris (18-11, 9-2 UMAC) was unable to slow down the Northwestern Eagles (18-10, 10-0 UMAC) down on Friday night, falling 25-16, 25-17, 25-10. The Eagles hit .376 on the night to earn the sweep and all but wrap up the number one seed in the UMAC Tournament.
 
Northwestern was all over the Cougars in the first jumping out to an 11-5 lead. The lead would grow to nine in the first set at 21-12. The Eagles would end up taking the set 25-16. Morris was held to just .128 hitting in the first set, while Northwestern hit .325.
 
Morris battled tough in the second set but Northwestern still had the edge early at 11-9. The Eagles quickly scored three straight points to take a 14-9 lead and force a Morris timeout. The timeout did nothing to slow the Eagles down as they scored four more out of the break and took a big 18-9 lead. The Cougars could not recover and dropped the set 25-17.

The Eagles defense was also a big role in helping them jump on the Cougars in the first two sets. They had 44 total digs in the first two sets as they held Morris to just .120 hitting.
 
Once again it was Northwestern who took an early lead in the third set, jumping out to a 9-4 lead. The Cougars cut it to three but UNW responded and rallied to take a 13-7 lead midway through the set. Minnesota Morris never recovered and the Eagles took the set 25-10. Marissa Ekness had eight kills while hitting .412 to lead Morris on the night.
 
Prior to the match the Cougars honored seniors Emily Auch, Hannah Terhaar and Addie Vancura.