MORRIS, Minn. – After earning an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season record of 10-4, the Yellowjacket volleyball team secured the third seed heading into the circuit's semifinal match. Wednesday's match would feature the Yellowjackets and the Cougars, a team the 'Jackets haven't defeated this season.
 
In both matches between the two teams, it would require a fourth set to determine a winner, with Minnesota Morris coming out on top.
 
As the old saying goes, "the third time's a charm" reigned true with the 'Jackets Wednesday, coming out on top in the fourth set and moving on to the UMAC championship match.
 
UWS took an early lead in the first set and held it to the end. Despite swinging at a .194 clip to Minnesota Morris' .236, the Yellowjackets maintained a lead which commenced with kills from Emma Crandell (Forest Lake, Minn./Homeschool), Maiana Stark (Germantown, Wis./Germantown) and Ayla Oltmanns (Gilbert, Minn./Duluth East). Sitting at a 9-3 lead, the 'Jackets allowed the Cougars to claw back within two at 16-14. A key kill from Stark would commence a Yellowjacket comeback, sparking kills from Oltmanns, Crandell, and Kaylin Plautz (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) who would secure the first set victory 25-23.
 
The Yellowjackets took another early lead in set number two, but the Cougars showed resiliency and countered. After Oltmanns secured two of the five Yellowjacket points, Minnesota Morris began the offensive attack and leaped to a 15-12 lead. Despite kills from Plautz, Oltmanns and Sydney Smith (Milltown, Wis./Unity), UWS was unable to find its groove as the Cougars exploded on a rally that led them to a 25-15 decision.
 
Set number three began with the 'Jackets leaping to a 10-4 lead, spearheaded by Oltmanns, Marena Saeger (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area), and Crandell who notched three kills in consecutive fashion. The Cougars would receive a brief offensive output before the Yellowjackets began to run away with the set, as Oltmanns continued her strong evening with multiple kills. Securing the set was Smith who shut the door with a kill and gave the 'Jackets a 25-15 victory.
 
The Yellowjackets would overpower the Cougars in the fourth set, jumping to an early 15-6 lead courtesy of Oltmanns, Crandell, Saeger and Stark. Minnesota Morris would generate a short comeback later in the set, but UWS held on to win the fourth 25-17, securing the match victory and a date with the first seed Eagles of Northwestern.
 
Oltmanns ended her evening with a season-high 17 kills while also collecting three blocks. Stark concluded with 13 kills, while Crandell tallied 11.
 
Defensively Jenna Anderson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) put together another strong night, compiling 31 digs throughout the match. Lindsey Racine (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) followed with 18 digs and Stark tailed with 14 of her own.
 
The Yellowjackets and Eagles will duke it out Saturday, Nov. 11 inside the Ericksen Center for the UMAC title. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.