Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Welcome B1G's Newcomers to Welsh-Ryan Arena
9/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
| vs. Rutgers (7-6, 0-0 B1G) |
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| Date | September 26 |
| Location | Welsh-Ryan Arena | Evanston, Ill. |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| Watch Live | BTN Plus on BTN2GO |
| vs. Maryland (7-4, 0-0 B1G) |
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| Date | September 27 |
| Location | Welsh-Ryan Arena | Evanston, Ill. |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| Watch Live | BTN Plus on BTN2GO |
| Social Media | @NUVball  | Northwestern Volleyball  | @nu_volleyball  |
| Weekend Notes | Northwestern (PDF) |
EVANSTON, Ill. -- When Northwestern takes the floor at Welsh-Ryan Arena Friday evening it will be to open Big Ten play and welcome the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to the prestigious conference for the first match in its new league. The Wildcats host both B1G newcomers in Evanston this weekend as a match against Maryland follows on Saturday night.
Dating back to the 2012 season, Northwestern has won 17 of its last 23 home matches, including all five contests in 2014. A year ago the 'Cats knocked off No. 17 Ohio State in a nationally-televised match on Oct. 16 and trailed Illinois, 2-0, on Oct. 23 before rallying to top the Illini, in five sets. NU also bested No. 18 Purdue to complete a season sweep of the Boilermakers on Nov. 15. All five of Northwestern's home losses in 2013 came against Big Ten teams ranked 17th or better.
Success in Five Sets
After playing in eight five-set matches in 2013 (6-2), the Wildcats have been pushed to the limit twice already in 2014. Northwestern dropped the first two sets on opening night to Colorado before storming back to win three in a row. The Buffaloes led the decisive fifth set, 13-10, but the 'Cats closed the night on an emphatic 7-2 run to win the match. Yewande Akanbi had three kills during the match-winning surge. The Wildcats and Ohio Bobcats went back and forth on Sept. 18 at Welsh-Ryan Arena, splitting the first four frames. OU had the first two cracks at match point, but NU rallied for three consecutive points, including two on kills from Akanbi, when trailing 15-14 to claim its fourth consecutive win.
Presence in the Polls
Northwestern has received votes the last four AVCA top 25 coaches polls. The Wildcats also received votes in four editions of the poll a year ago, most recently on Nov. 18, 2013 following wins against 18th-ranked Purdue and Indiana at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The `Cats have not appeared in the top 25 since Nov. 15, 2010 when they were recognized for the eighth consecutive week.
Unfamiliar Foes
Though Big Ten play opens this weekend, Northwestern faces a pair of programs that remain largely unfamiliar. The Wildcats will host Rutgers in its first-ever Big Ten clash on Friday night before welcoming Maryland to Evanston on Saturday. The Terrapins do figure to have a bit of a Big Ten flavor because their first-year head coach, Steve Aird, spent 2012-2013 as an assistant under Russ Rose at Penn State. NU has never faced Rutgers nor Maryland in its 37-plus seasons of intercollegiate competition.
Upcoming Promotions
Friday, September 26th vs. Rutgers (7 P.M.)
Camper Reunion Night: Northwestern volleyball summer campers, friends and family will be admitted to the match for $3. In addition, summer campers will be invited onto the court to form a tunnel for the Wildcats during the announcement of the starting lineup. Get your discount at the ticket gate by telling them you were a summer camper!
YMCA Night: Members of the McGaw YMCA can get $3 tickets to this match.
Saturday, September 27th vs. Maryland (7 P.M.)
Parent and Child Night: Parents, enjoy a Northwestern volleyball match with your family. For every adult ticket sold, you can get one youth ticket for free! You must mention promotion at the ticket booth to claim the offer.
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