The University of Wisconsin Superior made quick work of a three-set sweep over Northland College with the Yellowjackets picking up their first conference win of the season 3-0 at Mertz Mortorelli Gym on Tuesday night.

UW-Superior (5-14, 1-1 UMAC) looked strong on the serve and at the net, totalling six aces while also collecting eight blocks on the match, defeating Northland (2-13, 0-2 UMAC) in straight sets 25-11, 25-15, and 25-18. The Yellowjackets forced 21 attack errors by the LumberJills while limiting themselves to 15 on the game, and just eight combined in the first two sets. UWS hit a match-high .333 in game two but had its most dominant offensive set in the opener wiht just three errors compared to 10 by Northland.

Junior outside hitter Leah Nightingale (Dayton, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's H.S.) led all attackers with 15 kills on the match, though impressively, the LumberJills' Camile Eastburn had 13 of their 19 kills. Freshman outside Brylee Colligan (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji H.S.) added a double-double for UW-Superior with 11 kills and a team-high 11 digs. Freshman middle hitter Ashley Runck (Lakeville, Minn./Apple Valley H.S.) had four blocks on the front line. Sophomore setter Emily VerWay (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley H.S.) had 38 assists, seven digs, three kills, two service aces, and one block in another impressive night.

The victory was rarely in doubt for the Yellowjackets in the first and second games, but Northland challenged in game three with a 6-3 lead early that was quickly erased by an eight-point run for UW-Superior.  Another five-point run later in the set put the Yellowjackets over the top for good.

UP NEXT
UW-Superior will return to Morris, Minnesota, a stop the Yellowjackets made earlier this season for the UMAC Preview, to take on the University of Minnesota Morris. The Cougars defeated UWS 3-0 earlier this season, so the Yellowjackets will have payback on their minds when the two teams meet at 4:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.