SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket volleyball team took on Northland in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action Tuesday. Coming into tonight's match, both teams have required a fourth set to decide the winner, which featured the 'Jackets coming out on top in both meetings.
 
After strong performances from junior Emma Crandell (Forest Lake, Minn./Homeschool) and freshman Ayla Oltmanns (Gilbert, Minn./Duluth East), the Yellowjackets would only need three sets and 81 minutes to defeat Northland 3-0.
 
Once the opening whistle sounded, the 'Jackets began with a five-point rally. After a 7-2 lead, the LumberJills scratched their way to a 7-7 draw. Both teams would trade points, but a kill from Marena Saeger (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) commenced eight consecutive Yellowjacket points, resulting in a 20-11 lead. Northland wouldn't go down without a fight, taking advantage of Yellowjacket miscues and sparking a comeback of their own and tailing 22-17. After a kill from senior Kaylin Plautz (Elk River, Minn./Elk River), teammate Maiana Stark (Germantown, Wis./Germantown) ended the first set with a service ace, securing the 25-18 win.
 
Neither team was able to spark rallies in the second set, resulting in various lead changes early on. Sitting at 10-10, the 'Jackets attempted to take control after Oltmanns registered a kill to break the tie. The LumberJills countered with kills of their own and found themselves in a 16-15 lead. The 'Jackets came back and got back on track, but Northland was right on their tail and led 24-21. Stark kept things close with a kill, which then called for three-consecutive points from Plautz. Oltmanns would deliver the final blow, finishing a late comeback and winning set number two 26-24.
 
The final set featured the Yellowjackets taking an early lead and never letting go. Oltmanns scored the first points for UWS beginning the set at 5-1. While both teams traded points, the 'Jackets continued to hold a 19-12 lead courtesy of Sydney Smith (Milltown, Wis./Unity), Oltmanns and Stark. The LumberJills capitalized on Yellowjacket errors and scratched their way to within three points, but Oltmanns would deliver the final two points for UWS and securing the sweep of Northland, 25-21.
 
Crandell and Oltmanns paced the offensive charge for the Yellowjackets, finishing with 13 and 12 kills, respectively. Libero Jenna Anderson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) picked up 22 digs on the evening, while setters Colleen Claude (Centuria, Wis./Homeschool) and Lizzy Schmidt (Twin Lakes, Wis./Wilmot Union) collected 27 and 14 assists, respectively.
 
Sitting in third place in conference play, the Yellowjackets (14-7, 6-2 UMAC) will now shift their focus to North Central. First serve inside Clark-Danielson Gymnasium is set for Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.