ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Grace Leuchtenberger (Jr./Newton, Mass./Newton South), Olivia Powell (Sr./Palos Verdes, Calif./Chadwick), and Jancyn Appel (Fy./Kansas City, Mo./The Pembroke Hill School) each reached double-figures in kills, but the Carleton College volleyball team dropped a four-set match at University of Northwestern-St. Paul by a 19-25, 25-23, 16-25, 28-30 tally.
 
The Eagles (5-2) received votes in the latest AVCA national top-25 poll and out-hit Carleton (1-8) by a slight .241 to .214 edge in this one.
 
"I am incredibly proud of us for battling tonight against a very good team," said Carleton head coach Jacki Smith. "They put a lot of pressure on us, but I was very encouraged by our resilience and ability to tackle the challenge head on. Despite the final score, we can take many wins away from tonight—specifically the offensive performances from Olivia and Grace. It was a fun atmosphere tonight, and we're excited to learn from it and move forward."

Northwestern held a 12-10 advantage midway through the opening set before the hosts put together a 9-1 run to open up a comfortable margin en route to the 25-19 decision.
 
The Eagles built a 19-17 lead in the second set, but the Knights' 6-1 spurt gave the visitors new life. Later leading 24-23, Leuchtenberger evened the match with her kill that gave Carleton the 25-23 result.
 
Northwestern raced out to a 13-6 lead in the third set with the Knights getting no closer than five points the rest of the way, eventually falling 25-16
 
The fourth set featured 12 ties and four lead changes. Carleton fought off five match points before Northwestern finally secured the victory, 30-28, with its 10 service ace of the match.
 
Inger Shelton (So./San Diego, Calif./La Jolla) notched another double-double with 35 assists and 13 digs. Libero Tegan Carlson (So./Benton City, Wash./Kona-Benton City) contributed 20 digs, and Abby Loe (Jr./Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley) registered 17 digs with both Knights posting the second-highest figures of their respective careers.
 
Leuchtenberger and Powell had 12 kills apiece, the former establishing a new career best while the latter set a new season high. Both players posted career best hitting percentages at .429 and .478, respectively. Appel contributed a career-high 11 kills and played a part in three blocks.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE KNIGHTS: Carleton opens MIAC play when the Knights host Macalester College at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18.