Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Minnesota
Minnesota Hands Volleyball Team First Big Ten Loss, 3-0
10/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 6, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern posted a hitting percentage of .043, as No. 6 Minnesota handed the Wildcats their first Big Ten loss of the season on Sunday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena 30-22, 30-28, 30-22. The loss drops NU to 10-6 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, while the Golden Gophers improve to 17-2 and 4-0.
The win allows Minnesota to remain in a tie for first place in the conference along with Penn State.
Junior middle blocker Erika Lange (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) led Northwestern with 10 kills, tying a match high. Drew Robertson (Long Beach, Calif./Poly) added 10 digs and 27 set assists.
Minnesota recorded 10.5 team blocks, compared to five for the Wildcats.
Game 1 was tied 9-9 before the Gophers used a 6-0 run to take a 15-9 lead. The Cats cut UM's lead to four at 18-14, but could not get any closer. Minnesota outhit Northwestern in the game .226 to .026. Bethany Brafford led the visitors with six kills in the game.
The second game remained tight throughout, as neither team led by more than two during the frame. The Wildcats took a 28-27 lead on a Cassie Busse service error, but could not capitalize.
Kills by Amanda Cipperly and Jessica Byres sandwiched a Northwestern hitting error as Minnesota rallied to take the 2-0 lead. Lange led NU with six kills in the game.
The Golden Gophers jumped out of the gates quickly in the final game, taking an early 10-5 lead. Leading 13-8, Minnesota distanced itself from the Wildcats with a 4-0 run.
Northwestern will return to action at 7 p.m. on Friday when it travels to take on Indiana.
