MADISON, Wis. – Women's Volleyball hosted a heavyweight bout in non-conference action Tuesday. They took on the No. 19 Dubuque Spartans at the Todd Wehr Edgedome. The Eagles (5-3) emerged triumphant, handing the nationally-ranked Spartans (12-1) their first loss on the season 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 26-24).

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The two squads set the tone for the night early by exchanging haymakers, an early 5-1 run from Edgewood University answered by four in a row from Dubuque. The Eagles defense proved to be stifling as they put together six unanswered, but once more the Spartans had a response with a 7-2 burst to tie things up at 21-21. Tied 24-24 late, Edgewood University claimed their first set of the night with back-to-back points in extras.
 
- The Eagles had few answers for the Dubuque assault early in the second set, trailing 8-2 early. Edgewood University would not be deterred by their deficit, cutting down the lead to just 16-15 off the back of a 5-0 explosion featuring three blocks from Marina Hosticka and Natalie Murphy, plus a kill from Hosticka. A 7-1 follow up had the Edgedome rocking as the Eagles led 22-19. The Spartans hung close but could not deny the second set of the night for Edgewood University.
 
- While a kill and a pair of aces from Katie Borchert helped fuel a 4-1 run and a 9-7 edge in the third set, Dubuque rolled back off the strength of their offense, a 6-1 rally featuring five kills and an ace pulling them ahead 13-10. A 7-3 burst from the never say never Eagles propelled them ahead 19-17. The Spartans showed little quit either, a late 3-1 stretch once again forcing extra points. Edgewood University would not be denied, a kill followed by a match-clinching ace from Borchert sealing the deal for the Eagles.
   
- Borchert shined in the victory. She posted a 13-kill, 11-dig double-double with three aces and a .406 hitting percentage on 32 attempts with no errors.
 

 
- Murphy and Hosticka teamed up for four blocks as a fierce tandem at the net.
 
- Abbey Eivins and Kate Gunderson each posted a double-double. Gunderson earned 15 assists and 12 digs, while Eivins tallied 14 assists and 10 digs.
 
- Edgewood University put together a standout performance on defense, outhitting Dubuque .227-to-.129.
 
- Ashley Glennon had a standout performance for the Spartans with an 11-kill, 17-dig double-double.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Eagles have won four-straight over the Spartans.
 
- Dubuque's .129 hitting percentage was their lowest in a match this season.
 
- Edgewood University paces the NACC with 2.96 blocks per set. Payton Millin leads the conference with 1.07, while Hosticka and Murphy are third and fifth in the conference respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles will look to carry their momentum into a tri-match Saturday as their kickoff their hunt for a third-straight NACC title. They'll take on Illinois Tech at noon and North Central at 2:30 in Chicago, Ill.