ST. PAUL - The Martin Luther College volleyball team closed the first half of the UMAC schedule with a pair of losses at a triangular hosted by University of Northwestern-St. Paul on Wednesday. The Knights lost the first match 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 30-28) to UW-Superior before dropping the second match 3-0 (25-8, 25-15, 25-15) to UNWSP.

UWS 3, MLC 0 (25-13, 25-10, 30-28)

A slow start to the match proved costly in a 3-0 defeat to UW-Superior to open the day.

MLC fell behind big in each of the first two sets to create a 2-0 deficit heading into the third set. The Knights played well in the final set and held several chances to extend the match into a fourth game, but the Yellowjackets came back to finish off the sweep.

UWS hit better than .500 through two sets, and finished the match with an attack efficiency of .384. MLC hit .061 for the match.

Kati Aguilar led the Knights with eight kills. Jewel St. Germaine recorded 18 assists and six digs, while Camryn Biebert led the team with three service aces.

UNWSP 3, MLC 0 (25-8, 25-15, 25-15)

The Knights were unable to slow down the defending champions from Northwestern-St. Paul in a 3-0 loss in the second match.

The Eagles hit .324 for the match and held MLC to an attack efficiency of .065 as they remained unbeaten in conference play.

Aguilar led the Knights in kills (12), digs (13) and blocks (two). St. Germaine added 13 assists and 10 digs.

MLC fell to 4-14 on the season and 4-4 in UMAC play following the two defeats. The Knights will return to action on Saturday, September 29, when they travel to St. Scholastica for a match scheduled to start at 3 p.m.