ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris volleyball team fell behind from the outset and could never find a rhythm on Saturday night against the University of Northwestern. The Eagles claimed a second straight UMAC Tournament title with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-18) win in the championship match. The Cougars wrap up the season at 6-5 overall with a 5-3 mark in the UMAC.

Minnesota Morris struggled to get anything going offensively against Northwestern and ended the match with only 21 kills – seven in each of the three sets. The Cougars collectively hit .082 and only Tori Everson approached her season averages in kills, ending the night with nine.

After falling behind, 4-1, early on in the first set, a kill from Everson and a block from Maggie Jones and Brenna Tinjum brought the Cougars within a point. Northwestern responded with five straight points and Minnesota Morris wouldn't get closer than five points the remainder of the set, going behind 1-0 in the match.

Things went better in the opening stages of the second set as Minnesota Morris got off to an 8-4 edge, but Northwestern hit back with four straight to tie it and then took the lead for good at 11-10. At 21-16, four straight from the Eagles closed it out to go on top, 2-0.

The Cougars emptied their tank to take a 16-10 lead in the third set, but the team collectively hit a wall and Northwestern was there to take advantage. The Eagles scored 15 of the final 17 points to finish off the match, with only kills from Jones and Tinjum in there to break up UNW's scoring run.

Other than Everson's nine kills, Mia Frick was next up for the Cougars on the night with five. McKenzie Newton had 17 assists and Alyssa Ukestad collected 16 digs.

The UMAC will announce its all-conference volleyball team on Monday.