Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Wisconsin
Women's Volleyball Defeated by No. 6 Wisconsin, 3-0
10/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 10, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - Late-game surges by Northwestern gave No. 6 Wisconsin a scare, but the Badgers took tonight's conference match 3-0 (31-29, 30-15, 30-21) and remain the only team undefeated in Big Ten play.
The Wildcats, hosting their third nationally ranked team in six days, rallied from a 25-15 deficit to make Game 1 go to 31 points. Behind the jump serve of junior Cassie McKnight (San Marcos, Calif./San Marcos), NU went on a 14-6 run at the end of the game, but the Badgers kept it out of reach. In Game 2 the Badgers built an early lead and protected it, relying on the service of Erin Byrd. Game 3 also got out of reach quickly, but again McKnight served up five points at the end of the game to allow the 'Cats to come within nine.
The All-America power in Wisconsin was evident. Seniors Sherisa Livingston and Lisa Zukowski combined for 36 kills, while Livingston hit at a .750 clip. As a team, the Badgers hit .359.
For NU, sophomore middle blocker Erika Lange (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) and freshman Jill Buschur (New Bremen, Ohio/New Bremen) each had 11 kills.
Once again Northwestern outblocked their opponent. Juniors Kelli Meyer (Madison, Wis./Edgewood) and Sarah Ballog (Coto de Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita) each had two blocks and Lange added three, two of which were solo.
It was a career night for NU's McKnight. She finished the match with three service aces and made her 200th career dig.
Northwestern falls to 6-7 (3-4 Big Ten), while Wisconsin improves to 13-2 (7-0). The current three-match losing streak is the first time the Wildcats have been under .500 all season.
NU hosts Purdue Friday night at 7 p.m. in the fieldhouse at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
