Blue Devils lead by two, but fall 3-2 to University of Northwestern

University of Northwestern 3, UW-Stout 2 | Photo Gallery | Archived Video

MENOMONIE (September 16, 2015) - UW-Stout held a two set to zero lead over the University of Northwestern, but the Eagles came back to take the final three sets to hand the Blue Devils an 18-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 15-12 loss Wednesday at Johnson Fieldhouse.

Stout (8-4) handily took the first set, but the Eagles (5-6) hung around in the second set, threatening throughout. Northwestern took over in third set and never really looked back.

Northwestern was led by Abby Vander Galien's 15 kills, while Lindsey Peterson added 14. The Eagles were solid at the net, recording no solo blocks, but combined for 10 block assists, with Shanay Gonder recording seven block assists.

The Blue Devils got 15 kills from Ashley Pratt (So, Lakeville, Minn) and 12 from freshman Kenney Strain (Elk River, Minn). Emily Bialka (Cottage Grove, Minn) finished with a career-best 47 assists, while libero Payton Schultz (Fr, Faribault, Minn) tallied 41 digs.

Stout will be at a triangular with Gustavus Adolphus, Saturday, Sept. 19 and will also face Concordia-Moorhead. The Blue Devils return home Wednesday, Sept. 23 to open WIAC play when they host UW-River Falls at 7 p.m.