Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Closes Out Regular Season Facing Illinois, Minnesota
11/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 24, 2009
Northwestern Volleyball Weekly Release - Nov. 24 
Opening Serve
Northwestern closes out the 2009 regular season with a pair of key games against ranked opponents. The Wildcats host fifth-ranked Illinois on Wednesday, Nov. 25, before heading north to Minnesota for the regular season finale on Friday, Nov. 27, against the 13th-ranked Gophers.
Wildcats Return to the Big Ten Network
Northwestern will make its third and final appearance on the Big Ten Network this season when it hosts in-state rival Illinois in a Thanksgiving Eve showdown. Brent Stover and Elizabeth Moreau will have the call with the opening serve scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Scouting the Illini
Season: Fifth-ranked Illinois is 23-4 on the year and 15-3 (2nd) in the Big Ten ... The Illini enter the week having won 14 of their last 15 matches. Head Coach: Kevin Hambly is in his first season at the helm of the Illini with a 23-4 (852) record. Outside Hitters: Laura DeBruler (Jr.) ranks second in the Big Ten in kills per set (4.49) and points per set (4.99), knocking down a team-best 427 kills with 258 digs, 19 service aces and 52 blocks ... Michelle Bartsch (So.) ranks second on the team in both kills (289) and blocks (103) and has added 18 service aces and 219 digs ... Kylie McCulley (Sr.) is third in kills (281) and second in digs (234) while leading the team with 21 service aces. Middle Blockers: Johannah Bangert (Jr.) leads the Big Ten averaging 1.61 blocks per set (153 total) while adding 128 kills to the Illini attack ... Erin Johnson (Fr.) ranks second on the team with 83 blocks while adding 115 kills. Setter: Hillary Haen (Jr.) ranks second in the Big Ten averaging 11.35 assists per set (1,078 total), adding 31 kills, 203 digs and 40 blocks. Libero: Rachel Feldman (So.) has recorded 78 digs and nine service aces since filling in for Ashley Edinger (Sr.) who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in October.
Scouting the Golden Gophers
Season: 13th-ranked Minnesota is 22-8 overall and 13-5 (3rd) in the Big Ten ... The Golden Gophers are coming off a split at Michigan and Michigan State last weekend. Head Coach: Mike Hebert is 350-126 (735) in his 14th season in Minneapolis and 922-383 (.707) in his 34th season as a head coach. Outside Hitters: Tabitha Love (Fr.) has knocked down 235 kills for the Gophers while adding 28 blocks up front ... Megan Wilson (Sr.) has notched 124 kills with 17 service aces, 123 digs and 37 blocks since transferring from Missouri. Middle Blockers: Lauren Gibbemeyer (Jr.) leads the Gophers with 324 kills on the year (3.15 per set) and ranks second in the Big Ten in hitting percentage (.402) and third in blocks per set (1.38), leading the team with 84 total blocks ... Ariana Filho (So.) is second on the Gophers with 53 blocks while reaching the 200 kill plateau. Setter: Taylor Carico (Sr.) ranks fifth in the Big Ten averaging 10.94 assists per set (591 total) and has added 85 kills, 118 digs and 35 blocks. Libero: Christine Tan (Sr.) is ninth in the Big Ten averaging 3.38 digs per set (206 total) with 15 service aces.
Series Information
Northwestern and Illinois get together for the 70th time Wednesday as the Illini hold a 43-26 advantage in the series, including a 3-0 victory in Champaign back on Oct. 14. While Illinois has won the last two, the series has been very competitive in recent years with the Wildcats winning five of the last nine meetings. The Illini have enjoyed playing in Welsh-Ryan Arena, however, winning five of the last six in Evanston. Friday marks the 59th meeting between Northwestern and Minnesota as the Gophers hold a 42-16 edge in the series including a four-match winning streak. The Sports Pavilion has provided a home court advantage for Minnesota, having won nine of the last 10 against Northwestern in Minneapolis.
Nobilio Notches Third Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Honor
Senior Kate Nobilio, who has already cemented her legacy as Northwestern's all-time digs leader, continues to establish her place among the Big Ten's all-time dig leaders. Nobilio notched 44 digs in the pair of victories over Wisconsin and Iowa this past weekend en route to her third Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season, capturing the award on Sept. 2 and Nov. 1. It is also the fifth Player of the Week accolade of her career, moving her past Janine Makar for the most in the program's history. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Nobilio, who leads the Big Ten in both total digs (490) and digs per set (4.54) is just 10 digs shy of recording her fourth-straight 500-dig season. She also is within striking distance of moving up the Big Ten's all-time list, as with her 2,155 career digs Nobilio needs just 24 to move into third place all-time and 28 to finish her career second all-time in conference history.
Moffett Joins Ranks of Wildcat Blocking Elite
Junior Sabel Moffett has been one of the major keys to the Wildcats' success this season as she establishes herself as one of the top all-around players in the Big Ten. Moffett has especially made her mark as tone of the conference's top blockers, ranking fourth in the conference in blocks per set at 1.42. The Big Ten's leader in both overall blocks (158) and solo blocks (27), Moffett surpassed Miriam Stariha (1988-91) to move into eighth all-time with 273 career block assists. Her 59 solo blocks moved also moved Moffett into 10th-place in program history, moving past Brittney Aldridge (2004-07).
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
