Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Hosts No. 6 Wisconsin in Midweek Showdown
9/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
| (rv) Northwestern (12-1, 2-0 B1G) vs. No. 6 Wisconsin (10-2, 1-1 B1G) |
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| Date | Time | Wednesday October 1 | 7 p.m. |
| Location | Welsh-Ryan Arena | Evanston, Ill. |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| Watch Live | BTN Plus on BTN2GO |
| Social Media | @NUVball  | Northwestern Volleyball  | @nu_volleyball  |
| Notes | Northwestern | Wisconsin |
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern will look to continue its seven-match winning streak and maintain its unblemished mark in conference play when the sixth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers make the short trip south Welsh-Ryan Arena for a Big Ten battle Wednesday night.
Tashima Tabbed Freshman of the Week
After missing three matches with an upper body injury, setter Taylor Tashima opened the first weekend of Big Ten play with back-to-back double-doubles, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week recognition Monday. Against B1G newcomer Maryland on Sept. 27, the Wilmette, Ill., native had a record night. She set a career-high with six kills, and earned her fifth career double-double behind 46 assists and 12 digs, a number which matched her previous career high. Tashima's classmate, Symone Abbott, has also been honored as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week this season, claiming the award on Sept. 15. following the Wildcat Classic.
Defensive Dandies
The Wildcats are holding the opposition to a hitting percentage of .134 this season, a number that ranks second in the Big Ten and 14th in the NCAA. In seven contests at Welsh-Ryan Arena, opponents are hitting just .110 with marks of .160 or lower in six of the seven matches (all except Ohio) and .000 or lower twice (Green Bay and Rutgers). Maddie Slater (1.05 blocks per set) and Katie Dutchman (1.00) are leading the way up front at home, while libero Caroline Niedospial has averaged 5.31 digs per set since Sept. 12. Niedospial had 26 digs in a three-set win against Virginia on Sept. 13 and was named MVP of the Wildcat Classic and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 15.
B1G Start
Northwestern won both of its first two Big Ten matches over the weekend against newcomers Rutgers and Maryland, marking the first time since 2010 that the Wildcats opened conference play with back-to-back wins. NU began Big Ten play with three wins twice in the Keylor Chan era, in 2002 and 2010, and both times the Wildcats went on to play in the NCAA Tournament. The 'Cats won at Illinois, at Purdue and at home against Iowa in 2002 and at Welsh-Ryan Arena against Indiana and Purdue and at Wisconsin in 2010.
Protecting This House
Dating back to the 2013 season, Northwestern has won 18 of its last 23 matches (78%) at Welsh-Ryan Arena, including all seven 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.
Upcoming Promotions
Wednesday, October 1 vs. Wisconsin
Wildside Night: The Northwestern volleyball team invites Northwestern students to open "Beat Wisconsin" week in style. In advance of the football team's game with Wisconsin on Saturday (2:30 p.m. at Ryan Field), students who attend the volleyball match will get a free "Beat Wisconsin" t-shirt to wear while cheering on the 'Cats to victory over our neighbors to the north.
Team Night: All local club and school teams are encouraged to root on the 'Cats as they take on the Badgers. Teams of 15 or more will receive admission for just $3 per person. All groups who register will get a free Northwestern Volleyball headband.
Sunday, October 5th vs. Minnesota
'Cats Clinic: The Northwestern Volleyball team invites all area girls in 8th grade and under to join them as they host their annual in-season skills clinic after their match with Minnesota on Sunday, October 5th. Various drills will be demonstrated in an effort to teach fundamental volleyball skills to participants. The clinic will last an hour following the match. Participants should arrive in athletic shoes and comfortable clothes and be prepared for a great time with the Wildcats!
Registration is only $10 and includes admission to the match, clinic instruction, water bottle, and two vouchers for free admission to any future Northwestern volleyball match (a $14 value in itself). For more information or to register, please email wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu. There are only 150 spots available for the clinic, so register now! Click here to register now.
Camper Reunion Day: Northwestern volleyball summer campers, friends and family will be admitted for $3. As a bonus, campers will be admitted to the 'Cats Clinic at no extra charge. In addition, summer campers will be invited onto the court to form a tunnel for the team during the pregame lineup announcement. To sign up to be part of the tunnel, email wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu. Get your discount at the ticket gate by telling them you were a summer camper!
Football Ticket Deal: Northwestern football fans are invited to check out the Wildcats as they take on Minnesota. Fans who present a ticket stub from the Northwestern-Wisconsin football game the day before will be admitted to the volleyball match for just $3.
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