Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Opens 2010 Campaign at Chicagoland Classic
8/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 24, 2010
2010 Chicagoland Classic (Hosted by DePaul)
Northwestern (0-0) vs. Loyola (Chicago) (0-0)
Friday, August 27 • 5 p.m.
Consolation/Championship Matches
Saturday, August 28 • 5 or 7:30 p.m.
McGrath Arena
Chicago, Ill.
Streaming Video: Consolation/Championship matches only
Gametracker:
In-match Twitter updates: @NU_SportsLIVE
Northwestern Volleyball Match Notes (PDF)
Opening Serve
Northwestern opens up the 2010 season with a nice dose of Chicago home cooking, making the short trip to DePaul for the 2010 Chicagoland Classic. The Wildcats take to the court against Northshore rival Loyola (Chicago) in the opening match at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at McGrath Arena, then will face either host DePaul or Illinois-Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 28. The consolation match gets underway at 5 p.m. with the championship match slated for 7:30 p.m.
Scouting the Ramblers
2009: 12-17 overall, 5-11 Horizon League (T-6th).
Head Coach: Marcie Wolbeck (Notre Dame, 2002). Sixth season at Loyola (67-83), seventh season overall (77-101).
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/3+libero.
Key Returners: Mallory Curran (Sr., MB): 195 kills, .270 hitting percentage, 101 total blocks; Colleen Francis (Sr., OH): 314 kills, 291 digs; Natalie Pounovich (Jr., MB); 177 kills, .253 hitting percentage, 92 total blocks.
Scouting the Blue Demons
2009: 6-23 overall, 0-14 Big East (15th).
Head Coach: Nadia Edwards (Penn State, 2001). First season at DePaul.
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/2+libero.
Key Returners: Lauren Blasi (Jr., OH): 204 kills, 48 total blocks; Sammy Geiger (So., S): 695 assists, 88 kills, .225 hitting percentage; Kate Letcher (Sr., MB): 177 kills, .217 hitting percentage, 45 total blocks.
Scouting the Flames
2009: 16-18 overall, 8-8 Horizon League (5th).
Head Coach: Katie Schumacher-Cawley (Penn State, 2002). Second season at Illinois-Chicago (16-18).
Starters Returning/Lost: 6+libero/2.
Key Returners: Epiphany Davis (Sr., MB): 103 total blocks, 269 kills, .240 hitting percentage; Kelsey Safranek (So., OH): 314 kills, 57 total blocks; Casie Sullivan (Sr., OH): 403 kills, 349 digs, 37 total blocks.
Series Information
Northwestern has an impressive track record against its Chicagoland rivals, boasting a winning overall record against all three teams competing at the Chicagoland Classic. The Wildcats are 15-4 all-time against the Ramblers, including winning 12 of the first 13 matches between the two. But it was Loyola (Chicago) that prevailed in the last meeting, defeating Northwestern 3-1 on its home court to win the 2008 Chicagoland Classic. Northwestern holds a 16-7-1 overall edge against DePaul and have won the last 13 matches against the Blue Demons, the most recent being a 3-0 victory in 2005. Against Illinois-Chicago, the Wildcats are 24-4 with a nine-match winning streak dating back to 1996. The Wildcats swept the Flames in the opening round of the 2008 Chicagoland Classic at Loyola.
Wildcat Volleyball Season Tickets Now On Sale!
Don't miss any of the Wildcat's 16 exciting home matches at Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2010! Season ticket prices are $80 for a Family Plan, which admits two adults and up to three children. Adult season tickets are $40 with youth season tickets costing $25. Single-game ticket prices will remain the same for the 2010 season, costing $7 for adults and $4 for youth. The Wildcats are hosting are hosting a pair of preseason tournaments in September before all 10 Big Ten schools make their yearly trip to Welsh-Ryan, including three-time national champion Penn State (Oct. 23), national semifinalist Minnesota (Oct. 10) and NCAA tournament teams Ohio State (Oct. 22), Michigan State (Nov. 26) and Michigan (Nov. 27). Fans can get their season tickets by visiting the NUsports.com or calling the Wildcat ticket office at (847) 491-7886.
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
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