St. Paul, Minn -- Top-seeded Nebraska Wesleyan University was upset 3-1 in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Regional Volleyball Tournament by University of Northwestern on Thursday (Nov. 13) in St. Paul, Minn at the University of St. Thomas in Schoenecker Arena.  Match scores were 25-22, 23-25, 25-21, 25-20.

Nebraska Wesleyan finishes its terrific 2014 season with a 22-7 overall record as they drop their first match of the season to a NCAA III opponent.  Northwestern advances on to face the winner of the Cornell/Augsburg match in the second round on Friday.

The match opened with NWU building up a 12-7 lead as they appeared to show why they were the No. 1 seed at the St. Paul Regional. However the Eagles, who had qualified for five straight NCAA Tournaments, took an 18-17 lead on a service ace and never trailed again.  The Eagles reeled off six straight points to lead 24-18 before NWU scored four unanswered but it wasn't enough as Northwestern took the match 25-22.

Things looked bad for the Prairie Wolves in set two as they trailed 18-12.  Like they have done all season, NWU battled back and behind the serve of Makayla Westphal NWU began an 11-3 run to take a 23-21 lead.  Northwestern tied the set at 23-23 on a block.  On the next point, NWU dug up a ball at the net and the Northwestern attack sailed way out to set up set point.  The set was then won on a block by Heather Muller to tie the match at 1-1.

NWU got ahead 9-8 in the third set before the teams began trading points.  The Eagles score five of the next seven points to take a 13-11 lead.  Alexa Rosenau tied the set at 16-16 on a kill.  With Northwestern leading 21-20, a block error was called on the Prairie Wolves and they never recovered with the Eagles winning 25-21.

Facing elimination, the Prairie Wolves trailed 5-1 early in the fourth set.  A timeout by Coach Rayna Cain calmed the team as they scored five straight to tie it at 5-5.  Northwestern regained the lead and never would relinquish that lead.  Malory Dahl had two kills to pull NWU within three at 23-20, but a kill set up match point.  On match point a NWU overpass allowed Northwestern to slam home the game-winner.

Four players were in double figures in kills for Nebraska Wesleyan.  Senior Katelyn Walsh had a terrific day with 13 kills an no errors as she hit .448 in the match.  Alyssa Stanek had 12 kills with eight blocks and Malory Dahl had 10 kills.  Alexa Rosenau just missed a triple double with 12 kills, 23 assists and nine digs.

NWU will say goodbye to five key senior players who led the Prairie Wolves in 2014.  Alyssa Stanek, Katelyn Walsh, Alexa Rosenau, Makayla Westphal and Mackenzie Ashton all played their final match in a Prairie Wolves uniform.

"It was a disappointing ending and not what we had planned, but we had an outstanding season and I am proud of my team," NWU head coach Rayna Cain stated.  "I want to wish the seniors good luck in the next steps of their lives and thank the entire team for a great season."