HAMILTON, N.Y. — Northwestern (5-1, 0-0 Big Ten) used a furious offensive approach to down Stephen F. Austin in four sets in the finale of the Ellis Rowland Memorial Tournament.
 
Chicago's Big Ten Team will play in its third nonconference tournament next weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where the Wildcats will battle against Buffalo, Butler, and Arkansas.
 
NORTHWESTERN 3, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN 1 (24-26, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19)
 
TEAM NOTES:

• Northwestern is now 1-0 all-time against Stephen F. Austin.
• Chicago's Big Ten Team has improved to 5-1 to start the 2018 campaign, logging at least two wins in both of its first nonconference tournaments.
• The Wildcats accumulated 10 blocks … Northwestern has had double-digit team blocks in two matches this season (also, 14 against Milwaukee on Sept. 25).
• Northwestern had 62 kills, the most for any Big Ten team in a four-set match this season.
• NU's 59 team assists were also the most in a four-set match this season by a Big Ten team … The next-closest was a 54-assist output by Minnesota against North Carolina on Aug. 25.

 
INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

• Three 'Cats had 15-plus kills … Ella Grbac and Abryanna Cannon both tied for the team high with 16 kills, while Nia Robinson had 15 kills.
• Nia Robinson dazzled on Sunday afternoon, logging 15 kills on 25 swings with only one error … That equals a season-best .560 hitting percentage.
• The Wildcats saw three players notch double-doubles … Abryanna Cannon had 16 kills and a career-high 12 digs, Kiara McNulty had 23 assists and 12 digs, while Britt Bommer had a career-high 24 assists and a career-high 12 digs.
• Olivia Viscuso paced the Wildcats with a career-high tying six blocks … Sarah Johnson led the Wildcats' box score with four service aces, the most in a single-match for the 'Cats so far this season … Is tied for the most by a Big Ten player in a four-set match this season (also, Sydney Hilley of Wisconsin on Aug. 25 against Florida State).
• Michelle Lee registered a career-high nine assists.

 
MATCH NOTES:

• S1 | Despite holding the Ladyjacks to a .154 hitting percentage, SFA topped the Wildcats, 26-24.
• S2 | The Wildcats hit at a strong .538 clip to dispatch Stephen F. Austin, 25-21.
• S3 | Northwestern limited SFA to a paltry, .121 clip to win, 25-19 … Nia Robinson had four kills on eight swings with no errors.
• S4 | The 'Cats had four team blocks and were led by Abryanna Cannon's four kills to win, 25-19.

 
 

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