Northwestern University Athletics
Wednesday, November 4
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m. CT
Northwestern
13-11, 5-8
2
vs
3
Illinois
16-8, 7-6
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 25 | 26 | 21 | 25 | 16 | 3 |
| Northwestern | 18 | 28 | 25 | 16 | 14 | 2 |
Team Stats
ILL
NU
Kills
57
62
Errors
25
40
Attempts
164
196
Hitting %
.195
.112
Points
73.0
79.0
Assists
51
57
Aces
3
8
Blocks
13.0
9.0
Game Leaders
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballS
/ Women's VolleyballCarks Niedospial Takes Over Second Place in Career Digs at Northwestern
11/4/2015 10:18:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
By Austin Siegel
EVANSTON, Ill. – Caroline Niedospial moved into 2nd place on Northwestern's all-time digs list with number 1,659 late in the second set, and Symone Abbot chipped in 16 kills, but Northwestern fell to No. 18 Illinois 3-2 on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
"I give a lot of credit to our team. Illinois played a tough match and at the end it came down to some execution," head coach Keylor Chan said. "It's just disappointing to lose but we played hard."
After Illinois grabbed the first set 25-18, they appeared to be on their way to a 2-0 lead before Northwestern dug in. Chan has talked about grit all season and Northwestern exemplified that mentality in the second set.
"I'm obviously really proud of the team," Chan said. "Some players struggled but other players came off the bench, did a great job and stemmed the tide."
Down 7-2, the 'Cats used sustained pressure at the net and some impressive defense from sophomore Gabrielle Hazen to mount a comeback. Still trailing 23-20 and with the Illini looking to put them away, Northwestern rallied to tie things up before turning away two Illinois set points en route to a 28-26 victory.
It was in that set that Niedospial got the dig that moved her to second on Northwestern's all-time list. She passed Christine Gardner, who starred for the Wildcats between 2002 and 2005. Niedospial finished with 16 digs to bring her career total to 1,666.
"She is such a great leader for this team. The moment I came last year she was welcoming me and everyone on the court wants to play for her," sophomore Taylor Tashima said. "She's busting her butt getting every single ball up. She's getting every single free ball and I trust her with my life taking every single ball on the court."
Niedospial said she didn't even know when she had reached the digs mark.
"I've just been so focused on having a great season and doing the best that I can for my team," she said.
It was another dominating performance for Hazen, who showcased her controlling play around the net for Northwestern. The sophomore has been a defensive stalwart for the Wildcats in conference play, leading the team in blocks during their last three matches. She finished with seven tonight.
In the third set, it was the Wildcats who set the pace in a 25-21 victory over the Illini.
After dropping set number four, Northwestern moved on to a winner-take-all fifth set, where it fell behind 7-3 before mounting yet another comeback. Needing two more points to secure the victory, the Wildcats fell victim to a rally from the visitors as Illinois took the set.
"This time of year, losses are tough but as far as showing toughness and the things you want from your team, [like] togetherness, I couldn't be more proud," Chan said.
Chicago's Big Ten Team returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 11 as the Wildcats welcome No. 4 Minnesota to Welsh-Ryan Arena at 7 p.m.
EVANSTON, Ill. – Caroline Niedospial moved into 2nd place on Northwestern's all-time digs list with number 1,659 late in the second set, and Symone Abbot chipped in 16 kills, but Northwestern fell to No. 18 Illinois 3-2 on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
"I give a lot of credit to our team. Illinois played a tough match and at the end it came down to some execution," head coach Keylor Chan said. "It's just disappointing to lose but we played hard."
After Illinois grabbed the first set 25-18, they appeared to be on their way to a 2-0 lead before Northwestern dug in. Chan has talked about grit all season and Northwestern exemplified that mentality in the second set.
"I'm obviously really proud of the team," Chan said. "Some players struggled but other players came off the bench, did a great job and stemmed the tide."
Down 7-2, the 'Cats used sustained pressure at the net and some impressive defense from sophomore Gabrielle Hazen to mount a comeback. Still trailing 23-20 and with the Illini looking to put them away, Northwestern rallied to tie things up before turning away two Illinois set points en route to a 28-26 victory.
It was in that set that Niedospial got the dig that moved her to second on Northwestern's all-time list. She passed Christine Gardner, who starred for the Wildcats between 2002 and 2005. Niedospial finished with 16 digs to bring her career total to 1,666.
"She is such a great leader for this team. The moment I came last year she was welcoming me and everyone on the court wants to play for her," sophomore Taylor Tashima said. "She's busting her butt getting every single ball up. She's getting every single free ball and I trust her with my life taking every single ball on the court."
Niedospial said she didn't even know when she had reached the digs mark.
"I've just been so focused on having a great season and doing the best that I can for my team," she said.
It was another dominating performance for Hazen, who showcased her controlling play around the net for Northwestern. The sophomore has been a defensive stalwart for the Wildcats in conference play, leading the team in blocks during their last three matches. She finished with seven tonight.
In the third set, it was the Wildcats who set the pace in a 25-21 victory over the Illini.
After dropping set number four, Northwestern moved on to a winner-take-all fifth set, where it fell behind 7-3 before mounting yet another comeback. Needing two more points to secure the victory, the Wildcats fell victim to a rally from the visitors as Illinois took the set.
"This time of year, losses are tough but as far as showing toughness and the things you want from your team, [like] togetherness, I couldn't be more proud," Chan said.
Chicago's Big Ten Team returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 11 as the Wildcats welcome No. 4 Minnesota to Welsh-Ryan Arena at 7 p.m.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To interact directly with the #B1GCats, visit our Social Media page!Volleyball - 'Cats Defeat Iowa on Rylen Reid's 27-Kill Night (10/31/25)
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Volleyball - 'Cats Outlast Michigan in Five-Set Thriller (10/16/25)
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Volleyball - Wildcats Sweep Campbell to Close Non-Conference Play (9/20/2025)
Sunday, September 21
Volleyball - 'Cats Defeat Valparaiso in Home Opener Reverse Sweep (9/9/2025)
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