Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Opens 2011 at Utah Classic
8/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 24, 2011
Northwestern's Utah Classic Game Notes 
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern opens its 2011 season this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26-27, at the Utah Classic in Salt Lake City, Utah. NU kicks off the year with a 6 p.m. CT game Friday against Cal State Northridge before facing both Weber State (11 a.m. CT) and the host Utes (8 p.m. CT) on Saturday.
The journey to the tourney is a return trip for NU after perennially strong Utah traveled to the 29th Wildcat Classic a year ago and handed Northwestern a tough five-set defeat. The Utah Classic is the first of three-straight road tournaments for NU to open the year before it returns home for the 30th Wildcat Classic Sept. 16-17 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
After Veteran Season, New Wildcats Will Step Up For Northwestern
These aren't your parents' Wildcats. In fact, they are barely your older sibling's. One year after winning 20 games and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Championship, Northwestern graduated two AVCA All-Americans (Naomi Johnson and Sabel Moffett), a combined 99 starts and its first sub off the bench from that 2010 team. As a result, "We obviously have a whole bunch of new faces, and we need to reinvent ourselves," says head coach Keylor Chan. "We have a lot of freshmen and some older girls who need to step into new roles."
In addition to several veteran Wildcats taking on new or expanded roles (including senior outside Alex Ayers seeing more starting time, redshirt junior Kathryn Chrystal moving into a middle blocker starting role and redshirt junior Madalyn Shalter taking over as the team's setter), as many as five true or redshirt freshmen could see significant time in NU's opening weekend.
Redshirt freshman Katie Dutchman will step into the other middle blocker position while true freshman Hannah Crippen has earned the position at right side hitter. "Carks" Caroline Niedospial will see time in the back row, fellow freshman Yewande Akanbi will see time on the outside and classmate outside hitter Kirsten Watson also projects to significant time on the court this season.
Stephanie Holthus Named To All-Big Ten Preseason Team
Sophomore outside hitter Stephanie Holthus earned a spot on the coaches' All-Big Ten Preseason Team prior to the start of the 2011 campaign. Holthus -- an All-Big Ten freshman team honoree a year ago -- started all 33 matches in her inaugural collegiate season of 2010, becoming the 11th player in program history to record 300 kills as a freshman. Her 332 total kills ranked eighth in school history for a rookie, a performance she complemented with 326 digs along with 68 blocks.
On the season, Holthus contributed double-digit kill totals 18 times while recording 12 double-doubles -- including a 13-kill, 15-dig performance in NU's NCAA Tournament victory over Arizona.
The preseason All-Big Ten team is comprised of 17 selections after a tie in the voting and represents nine of the 12 Big Ten member institutions.
Julie Chin Returns for Her Second Full Year as Libero
After seeing limited action as a true freshman behind all-time NU digs leader Kate Nobilio, junior Julie Chin took over the libero reigns in fine fashion in 2010. Chin made 437 digs to rank ninth in Northwestern single-season history and her passing proved instrumental in NU's improved offensive attack last year. The Naperville native is being pushed by true freshman Caroline "Carks" Niedospial, a Marist High School product who has been nothing short of stellar thus far in her first preseason. The duo each will see the court during the year.
Wildcat Volleyball Season Tickets On Sale Now!
Don't miss any of the Wildcat's 13 exciting home matches at Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2011! 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 the 30th Wildcat Classic Sept. 16-17 and also have huge home Big Ten matches against four-time defending national champion Penn State (Nov. 12) and perennial volleyball powerhouse and conference newcomer Nebraska (Nov. 26). Fans can get their season tickets by visiting NUsports.com or calling the Wildcat ticket office at 1-888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775).
Registration Underway for 2011 'Cats Clinics
The Wildcats are providing an opportunity for all area girls in eighth-grade and under to join them as they host two in-season skills clinics on Monday, Sept. 12 and Oct. 24, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Various drills will be demonstrated in an effort to teach fundamental volleyball skills. The clinics will last approximately 90 minutes. Cost of the clinic is $10 and includes a water bottle and three vouchers for admission to future Wildcat volleyball matches. Pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, call (847) 467-6862 or email wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
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