ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris volleyball team fell on the road to the University of Northwestern, 3-0 (22-25, 14-25, 18-25). The loss snaps a four-match winning streak for the Cougars, who drop to 6-8 (2-1 UMAC) with the loss.

Northwestern started out hot in the first set, winning the opening five points, but Minnesota Morris rallied back and looked to be in position to claim an early edge over the Eagles. From down six early on, the Cougars battled back to go on top. Knotted at 18-18, UMN Morris had back-to-back kills first from Lydia Nash and then from Jenna Howden to make it 22-18. The Eagles were able to finally get a sideout, however, and the serve of Abby Glanzer produced three aces as part of a seven-point burst from UNW to take the set and a 1-0 lead.

That loss set the tone for the rest of the day. Northwestern sped out to a 16-3 lead in the second set. Though Minnesota Morris scored eight of the next nine points after that, they were unable to get closer than six as the Eagles took a 2-0 advantage.

The third set went back and forth until a streak of six straight points from Northwestern turned a 15-14 deficit into a 20-15 lead. The Eagles were able to close it out from there to take the first meeting of the season between these two conference powers.

The Cougars were led offensively by Howden with 10 kills. Laura Wellbrock had eight and Nash added six. McKenzie Newton ended with 22 assists, while Alyssa Ukestad had 18 digs.

Minnesota Morris returns home to Jim Gremmels Court next weekend, hosting matches on Friday and Saturday. First up is a 7 p.m. match with Northland College on Oct. 1.