MORRIS, Minn. – The Cougars (11-5, 3-1 UMAC) swept a UMAC opponent for the third straight match on Friday night beating Martin Luther (5-11, 1-2 UMAC) 25-17, 25-22, 25-16. Emily Auch had 17 kills and Abby Tietz added 14 kills. Kayley Siekmann had 19 assists and 20 digs in the match, leading the team in both categories.
 
Morris jumped out to a 10-1 lead in the first set; Tietz had six kills for the Cougars in their first seven points. She finished the set with eight kills. The lead grew to 13 at 17-4 before the Knights started on the comeback trail. Martin Luther pulled within six at 22-16 before Morris railed back for a 25-17 win.
 
The second set was much more competitive and Martin Luther took an early 7-5 lead. Neither team led by more than three until the Knights picked up a kill to make it 18-15. With the Cougars trailing 20-17, the team rallied for six straight and took a 23-20 lead. The Knights pulled within one but back-to-back kills gave the Cougars a 25-22 victory.
 
The Knights led early in the third set but Minnesota Morris went on a 10-1 run and grabbed a 15-8 lead. Martin Luther never recovered and the Cougars held on for a 25-16 set three win.
 
Prior to the match Auch was honored for her 1,000 kill and 1,000 dig. Brooke Decker was also honored for picking up her 1,000 career assist last weekend at Crown.
 
Bethany Lutheran will be in town for a 1 p.m. match, as the Cougars look for a fourth straight UMAC sweep.