The present invention concerns a process and apparatus for spinning polymer filaments comprising extruding a polymer solution to form one or more filaments into an air gap above a coagulation liquid, where the filaments are subject to strain; forming a downward stream of liquid and filaments by contacting the polymer solution with a coagulation liquid; passing the filaments and liquid through a quench tube; contacting the liquid with a surface such that the downward force of gravity on the liquid does not increase the strain of the filaments in the air gap; and separating the liquid from the filaments.