Northwestern University Athletics
NU Opens Up Home Season Hosting 27th Annual Wildcat Classic
9/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 16, 2008
Northwestern Volleyball Weekly Release - Sept. 16 
Opening Serve
After three straight road tournaments to start the season, Northwestern finally gets to take the court at Welsh-Ryan Arena, hosting the 27th annual Wildcat Classic Sept. 19-20. The `Cats open the Classic with a pair of games on Friday, hosting Georgetown at 12:30 p.m. and Virginia at 7 p.m. Saturday is the Chipotle BIG Game, pitting Northwestern against fourth-ranked UCLA at 4 p.m.
Wildcats on the Web
Fans unable to make it to Evanston for this weekend's Wildcat Classic will still be able to keep up with their `Cats. Live streaming of Northwestern's matches against Georgetown on Friday and UCLA on Saturday will be available at NUSports.com, as will live stats of all five matches of the Classic.
Scouting Georgetown
The Hoyas head into the Wildcat Classic with a 6-3 record after taking three matches this past weekend to capture the Georgetown Classic championship. The Hoyas didn't lose a set during the tournament, earning 3-0 victories over St. Francis, Morgan State and Brown. Looking to build off a 5-27 finish and placing 14th in the Big East in 2007, GU has been led by senior Katherine Niesen, who leads the team in blocks with 22, including four solos, and is third in kills with 65. Freshman Sara Manley's 88 kills leads the Hoyas, and has been complimented by 80 from junior Jessica Hardy. Senior setter Caitlin Boland has been a consistent force for Georgetown, averaging 11.16 assists per set while also digging 63 balls, while freshman libero Victoria Rezin is averaging 4.14 digs per set. Head coach Arlisa Williams is in her third year at the helm of the Hoyas with an overall record of 19-49 (.279).
Scouting Virginia
Similarly, the Cavaliers enter the Classic after winning their home tournament, taking the Marriott Jefferson Cup by sweeping Virginia Commonwealth, Binghamton and Appalachian State. Virginia, sitting at 7-2 on the year, has been paced by Jefferson Cup MVP Shannon Davis' 62 kills and 34 blocks on the year. She has been complimented by 101 kills from Lauren Dickson, her high school teammate, and sophomore Kendall Voelker's 65 kills and 29 blocks. Senior setter Marlow Bruneau is closing in on 300 assists for the season, tallying 282 for an 8.81 per set average, while junior libero Brittani Rendina leads the team in digs with 94 (2.94 per set) and 12 service aces. Lee Maes is in his first season as head coach in Charlottesville.
Scouting UCLA
Perrenial powerhouse UCLA enter the week ranked fourth in the nation with a 6-1 record, its only loss coming at the hands of top-ranked Penn State. The Bruins are coming off a 3-0 victory over Cal State Fullerton, and face Cal State Northridge Tuesday before making the trip to Evanston. Sophomore Dicey McGraw is off to a fast start for UCLA with 72 kills, with senior Ali Daley and freshman Amanda Gil each adding 46 kills of their own. Gil also leads the team in blocks with 30, including four solos, while fellow freshman Amy Camp has been a presence at the net with 38 kills and 24 blocks. Senior setter Nellie Spicer, a first-team All-American in 2006 and 2007, has 214 assists on the season, averaging 10.19 per set, and is also second on the team in digs with 42. In his 42nd season at UCLA, head coach Andy Banachowski has compiled an overall record of 1066-282 (.791) and has guided the Bruins to six national championships.
Series Information
Northwestern has a limited history against all three teams competing in the Wildcat Classic, posting a combined 3-0 record. The `Cats are 2-0 all-time against Georgetown, taking a 3-1 decision in 1997 at the North Carolina State Wolfpack Classic as well as defeating the Hoyas 3-0 last season in the Georgetown Classic. NU is 1-0 against Virginia with the only meeting a 3-2 victory in 1995. This will be the first-ever meeting between Northwestern and UCLA.
Moffett Earns Cougar Challenge All-Tournament Honors
Sophomore Sabel Moffett continued her stellar play this past weekend, recording 40 kills, eight blocks and hitting .333 en route to being named to the Cougar Challenge all-tournament team. Her best game of the weekend came against 18th-ranked Wichita State where she recorded a career-high 19 kills against the Shockers. Through the first three tournaments, Moffett leads the team in kills (92), hitting percentage (.397), solo blocks (nine), block assists (26) and total blocks (35). This is the second honor for Moffett this season after also being named to the Chicagoland Challenge all-tournament team.
Trio of `Cats Among National Leaders
While the season may only be a few weeks old, a trio of Wildcats are already making their mark on the national scene. Junior libero Kate Nobilio ranks seventh nationally in digs per set at 5.62, trailing Northern Arizona's Brittany Stowers 6.32. Sophomore Sabel Moffett is 27th in the nation in hitting percentage at .397 and is tied for 41st in the nation in blocks per set (1.21) and hitting percentage (.452) with sophomore Elyse Glab checking in at 28th nationally in assists per set (10.97). All three are also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in their respective categories as well.
Match With Bruins Marks the Chipotle BIG GAME
Fans attending the Wildcat Classic this weekend will be treated to more than just great volleyball. Saturday's showdown with fourth-ranked UCLA is the Chipotle BIG GAME, and the first 200 fans in attendance will receive coupons for a free Chipotle burrito. It is also a Football Freebie game, as those fans who show their ticket stub from the Wildcats' football game against Ohio earlier in the day Saturday will receive free admission to the match. Friday night's match against Virginia is the first Friday Night Bingo of the season as all fans will receive a free bingo card. Numbers will be called out throughout the night, and the first fan to make an "N" on their card will receive a $50 gift certificate.
For the complete release, click here.
