The University of Wisconsin Superior faced a tough test Saturday against two of the top teams in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference according to preseason rankings, but fell in straight sets against both the No. 25-ranked University of Northwestern (Minn.) and bridge rival the College of St. Scholastica on the final day at the UMAC Preview Tournament in Morris, Minnesota.

The Yellowjackets saw just how dominant No. 25 Northwestern (10-2) can be as the Eagles picked up a 25-3 first set victory which set the table for a straight-set sweep, taking the final two sets 25-13 and 25-10. UW-Superior cost itself in game one, hitting just -.136 with six errors but Northwestern played a pristine game with zero errors and a .562 hitting percentage.

The Yellowjackets had 20 errors in the match compared to just fifteen kills. Senior right-side hitter Alexis Landherr (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti H.S.) had a team-high six kills. Lindsey Peterson had 10 to lead Northwestern. Sophomore setter Emily VerWay (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley H.S.) had 13 assists and a team-high six digs.

St. Scholastica 3, UW-Superior 0
In the first match-up of bridge rivals for the season, St. Scholastica took the match in straight sets 25-13, 25-16, and 25-16. The Yellowjackets fared better defensively but attack errors cost them again, totalling 28 in the match.

St. Scholastica (3-9) had just 11 errors, hitting .244 as a team. UW-Superior (3-12) did get a game-high 13 kills from Landherr, while VerWay had 22 assists, tying with freshman outside hitter Brylee Colligan (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji H.S.) with a team-high seven digs.

UP NEXT
The Yellowjackets will continue on the road this week with two more non-conference outings against UMAC opponents before finally beginning conference play on Saturday. First, UW-Superior will take on Crown College on the road Tuesday night in Bonifacius. Opening serve is set for 7:00 p.m.