SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket volleyball team has been gone a while. The last time they took to the court at Mertz Mortorelli Gym was Sept. 21 when they posted a straight-sets win over Northland to open UMAC play. After 17 days, they made their return Friday evening, but this match was going to be a little bit tougher than the last.
 
Coming to town was Northwestern, the top team in the UMAC and the No. 16-ranked team in the nation according to the National Volleyball Coaches Association. And the Eagles showed why they are listed as one of the best teams in the nation.
 
Northwestern fought off threats from the Yellowjackets in every set in picking up a 3-0 win.
 
The Yellowjackets got off to a fast start Friday, winning four of the first five points to take the early lead. Northwestern quickly battled back to tie, and from there the teams went back and forth. The score stayed within a point with the teams taking turns moving in front. Northwestern broke a 14-14 tie and didn't trail the rest of the way, taking the opening set 25-18.
 
In the second set the Yellowjackets again jumped out quickly, taking three of the first four points and eventually built a 6-2 lead. Northwestern again came back, going on a 10-1 run to build a 12-7 lead. The Yellowjackets clawed their way back to get within one point, 18-17, but that's as close as they would get. Northwestern held the 'Jackets off the rest of the way, winning the set 25-22 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The Yellowjackets came out hot in the third set, winning the first three points and four of the first five to take an early lead. They were up 6-4 when Northwestern went on two long scoring runs, first taking 10 of 12 points to move ahead 14-8. After the Yellowjackets took a point Northwestern went on a 6-0 run to put the set out of reach. The Eagles won the frame 25-11 to close out the 3-0 win.
 
Alexie Pryd (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove Senior) led the Yellowjackets with eight kills on offense while contributing two digs on defense. Cassy Teff (Foley, Minn./Foley), who is third in the nation in triple doubles, had another solid match. She finished the evening with six kills, nine assists and 12 digs. Teff's nine assists were second on the team to Megan Holz (Savage, Minn./Burnsville Senior), who finished with 12.
 
Freshman Jenna Anderson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) had another outstanding match defensively, finishing with a team-high 13 digs.
 
It's a quick turnaround for the Yellowjackets (5-13, 3-3 UMAC), as they're back home Saturday when they host North Central. The opening serve is set for 1 p.m. at Mertz Mortorelli Gym.