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Northwestern StatisticsAfter winning two matches in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time ever in program history, the Bethel University volleyball team will face one of its most common nonconference opponents—the University of Northwestern-St. Paul—Saturday night in the NCAA Region Championship for a shot to advance to the Elite 8 at Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Michigan) next weekend. The Royals (24-9) and Eagles (28-8), who are 2.6 miles away from one another, have competed numerous times before, but no previous contest will be bigger than Saturday's match in Whitewater, Wisconsin. First serve between these friendly rivals is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Bethel University RoyalsOverall record: 24-9 (9-2 MIAC)
Head Coach: Gretchen Hunt (15th season)
This is Bethel's fifth NCAA Tournament, with previous trips coming in 2011, 2007, 2001, and 1999. With Friday night's victory, the Royals are now 5-4 all time in postseason play, including a 3-1 record in the last two appearances. BU's first-ever sweet 16 comes as a result of defeating the defending national champion
Hope College 3-0 in the opening round before
topping UW-Eau Claire 3-1 in the round of 32.
Thursday post-game press conferenceFriday post-game press conferenceNotes:• Bethel has won 15 out of their last 19 matches dating back to September 19, when they defeated Carroll University 3-0.
• The Royals defeated Northwestern 3-0 in St. Paul on September 9. Since then, however, the Eagles have gone 25-5 with wins over region host and top-seeded UW-Whitewater and (RV) Wartburg.
• Sophmore middle
Kristin Stern is among the nation's best, as she is hitting .342 on the season with 3.02 kills per set.
• Senior right side
Nicole Deberry had a career performance Friday evening, as she finished with 16 kills and a hitting percentage of .481. Over her last five matches, Deberry has recorded 39 kills, 14 block assists, and a hitting percentage of .325.
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Carlee Hoppe, who leads the team with 3.27 kills per set and 370 total sets this season, has been stellar from the back row. Hoppe has double digit digs, including 23 Friday night, in seven of the past eight matches and 19 total matches this season.
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Tegan LaBerge has collected 64 kills in the last seven matches, averaging 2.66 kills per set. In addition, she's been credited with 39 block assists and three solo blocks during that time frame.
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Kali Johnson's 30 digs against UW-Eau Claire Friday night was her second-highest single-match total throughout her career. (31 vs. Saint Benedict on September 25)
University of Northwestern-St. Paul EaglesOverall record: 28-8 (8-0 UMAC)
Head Coach: Beth Wilmeth (12th season)
The University of Northwestern's trip to Whitewater, Wisconsin marks their sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The Eagles' road map to the Sweet 16 includes a thrilling 3-2 win over UW-Whitewater late Thursday night and a 3-0 sweep over Wartburg College Friday. UNW won its fourth-straight Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, which rewarded them with an automatic bid to the postseason.
Notes:• Northwestern's win over region host and top-seeded UW-Whitewater marks the second year in a row that the Eagles have knocked off the No. 1 seed. UNW defeated Nebraska Wesleyan University at the University of St. Thomas in 2014.
• UNW punched a ticket to their first-ever sweet 16 with Friday's sweep over Wartburg College.
• The Eagles, who are now 28-8 overall, have won 20 or more matches in nine straight seasons.
• Sophomore outside hitter and UMAC Player of the Year Lindsey Peterson leads the Eagles with 3.53 kills and 4.71 digs per set, along with a season hitting percentage of .218.
Thursday post-game press conferenceFriday post-game press conference
Region Teams and Schedule | Thursday, November 12 | Matches |
| 12:30 p.m. | (6) Bethel def. (3) Hope, 3-0 |
| 3 p.m. | (7) UW-Eau Claire def. (2) Gustavus Adolphus, 3-1 |
| 5:30 p.m. | (4) Wartburg def. (5) Saint Benedict, 3-1 |
| 8 p.m. | (8) Northwestern def. (1) UW-Whitewater, 3-2 |
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| Friday, November 13 | |
| 4:30 p.m. | (6) Bethel def. (7) UW-Eau Claire, 3-1 |
| 7 p.m. | (8) Northwestern def (4) Wartburg, 3-0 |
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| Saturday, November 14 | |
| 7 p.m. | (8) Northwestern vs. (6) Bethel |
