Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
James Madison
Moffett, Johnson Lead Northwestern Past James Madison, 3-0
9/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2009
Northwestern vs. James Madison Box Score 
2009 Northwestern Volleyball Statistics
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Behind another strong offensive showing, Northwestern improved to 2-0 in the Comfort Suites Charlotte Invitational, defeating James Madison 25-22, 25-16, 25-19. The junior tandem of Sabel Moffett (Temecula, Calif./Chapparal) and Naomi Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) once again sparked the NU offensive attack, recording 14 and 11 kills respectively.
Less than 20 hours after setting a new program-low with seven errors against Presbyterian College, Northwestern had just 14 on 94 attempts with 45 kills for a .330 hitting percentage. As a team, the Wildcats are hitting .352 with 89 kills through the first two games of the tournament.
Moffett had 14 kills on 20 attempts with just three errors, a hitting percentage of .550, and had five blocks on the morning. Johnson's 11 kills was complimented by four blocks, with senior Ariel Baxterbeck (Menlo Park, Calif./Castilleja) knocking down nine kills on 18 attempts with no errors.
After a convincing 3-0 victory over Presbyterian College Friday afternoon, Northwestern got off to another good start, with junior Naomi Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) knocking down three kills and blocking a pair of Duke attacks to give NU the early 5-0 lead in set one. The `Cats would lead by as many as seven at 12-5, only to see JMU rally to take the lead at 15-14. But Northwestern was able to hold off James Madison to take the opening set 25-22.
Johnson was NU's key player, knocking down six kills and adding three blocks, while Baxterbeck came through with five kills and senior Kate Nobilio (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) had a set-high four digs, eclipsing the 1,800 mark for her career.
Set two was competitive from the opening serve as neither team was able to take control. The Wildcats started to pull away late, building a five-point cushion at 18-13 behind a handful of authoritative kills from senior Sabel Moffett (Temecula, Calif./Chapparal). NU then pulled away, outscoring JMU 7-3 down the stretch for the 25-16 victory.
Moffett finished with eight kills on 11 attempts and only one error in the second set with a block, while Johnson, junior Elyse Glab (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection) and sophomore Alexandra Ayers (Playa del Rey, Calif./Marymount) each had a pair of kills for the 'Cats. Glab added 13 assists in the set while Nobilio had six digs.
After another back-and-forth beginning to the third set, NU again began to pull away, building another 18-13 advantage. But the Wildcats made sure they took care of business, holding off a late Duke rally to the match with a 25-19 victory.
Redshirt freshman Kathryn Chrystal (Crystal Lake, Ill./Central) led all players with six blocks, giving her 13 through two matches of the tournament. Glab dished out 39 assists and had four kills, while Nobilio finished with a match-high 15 digs, bringing her career total to 1,814.
Northwestern wraps up its stay in the Tar Heel State, facing host Charlotte at 6 p.m. CT tonight at Halton Arena. Fans can follow the 'Cats in a number of ways, as live video and live stats will be available. Live in-match Twitter updates will also be provided @NU_SportsLIVE.
