Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Open 2010 Home Schedule Hosting Northwestern Challenge
9/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 1, 2010
2010 Northwestern Challenge
Welsh-Ryan Arena • Evanston, Ill.
Northwestern (2-0) vs. Mississippi (2-1)
Friday, Sept. 3 • 7 p.m.
Northwestern (2-0) vs. Morehead State (2-1)
Saturday, Sept. 4 • Noon
Northwestern (2-0) vs. Utah (2-1)
Saturday, Sept. 4 • 7 p.m.
Gametracker: NUsports.com
In-game Twitter updates: @NU_SportsLIVE
Northwestern Match Notes (PDF)
Northwestern Challenge Tournament Central
Opening Serve
Northwestern hits the court at Welsh-Ryan Arena for the first time this season, hosting the Northwestern Challenge this Friday and Saturday. The Wildcats face Mississippi on Friday at 7 p.m. before a double-header against Morehead State (noon) and Utah (7 p.m.) Saturday.
Scouting the Rebels
2010: 2-1 overall, 0-0 Southeastern.
Last Week: L vs. UTSA (2-3), W vs. Texas Tech (3-0), W at Rice (3-0).
Head Coach: Joe Getzin (George Williams, 1986). Ninth season at Mississippi (105-129), 11th season overall (140-198).
Key Players: Allegra Wells (So., OH): 35 kills, .338 hitting pct., 10 total blocks; Miranda Kitts (Sr., MB): 31 kills, .400 hitting pct., eight total blocks; Regina Thomas (Jr., MB): 30 kills, .390 hitting pct., seven total blocks.
Scouting the Eagles
2010: 2-1 overall, 0-0 Ohio Valley.
Last Week: L at Georgia State (2-3), W vs. Wright State (3-1), W vs. North Florida (3-0).
Head Coach: Jaime Gordon (Kentucky, 1996). Eighth season at Morehead State (126-101), 11th season overall (206-128).
Key Players: Holly Evans (Sr., OH): 35 kills, .342 hitting pct., 14 total blocks; Emma Keough (Jr., MB): 30 kills, .268 hitting pct., five total blocks; Annie Gruenschlaeger (So., MB): 22 kills, 17 total blocks.
Scouting the Utes
2010: 2-1 overall, 0-0 Mountain West.
Last Week: W vs. UC Davis (3-1), L vs. Utah State (1-3), W vs. Utah Valley (3-1).
Head Coach: Beth Launiere (Aquinas, 1985). 21st season at Utah (410-225).
Key Players: Morgan Odale (Fr., OH): 49 kills, .250 hitting pct., 11 total blocks; Sarah Collette (Jr., OH): 33 kills, .209 hitting pct.; Karolina Bartkowiak (Sr., OH): 26 kills, eight total blocks.
Series Information
Northwestern has limited experience against the three teams competing at the Northwestern Challenge this weekend. The Wildcats are 2-0 all-time against Mississippi, defeating the Rebels in straight sets in 1998 at Welsh-Ryan Arena and again in 2003 on a neutral court. This is Northwestern's first meeting against both Morehead State and Utah.
Familiar Faces
When Northwestern battles Utah Saturday, it will be a reunion of sorts for Wildcat middle blocker Sabel Moffett and Utah head coach Beth Launiere. This past summer, Moffett was one of 24 players selected to the U.S. National A2 Team which competed at the U.S. National Volleyball Open in Phoenix, and Launiere served as one of Moffett's coaches during the tournament.
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 NUsports.com or calling the Wildcat ticket office at (847) 491-7886.
Registration Now Taking Place For 2010 `Cats Clinic
The Wildcats are providing an opportunity for all area girls in eighth-grade and under to join them as they host their first-ever in-season skills clinic on Monday, Sept. 20, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Various drills will be demonstrated in an effort to teach fundamental volleyball skills. The clinic will last approximately 90 minutes, followed by a pizza dinner. Cost of the clinic is $15 and includes a t-shirt, water bottle, Sports Authority coupons and three vouchers for admission to future Wildcat volleyball matches. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept 15, and pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, call (847) 467-6862 or email wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
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