'Cats Split First Day of Blue Devil Classic

DURHAM, NC – Northwestern went 1-1 in the opening day of the Blue Devil Classic.
 
The Wildcats got off to a slow start falling to Georgia 0-3, but the 'Cats stormed back defeating ACC host, Duke 3-0.
 
Against the Blue Devils, first-year Temi Thomas-Ailara notched her fifth consecutive 10+ kill game. Senior Payton Chang also tallied her fifth consecutive 30+ assist game of the season.
 
The Wildcats will be back on the court to take on American Saturday morning at 11 am. Both live stream and live stats will be available for the game.
 
Of Note:
vs. Georgia…

• Northwestern out blocked Georgia,  5-3
•  First-year Temi Thomas-Ailara led the Wildcats with 11 digs…. this marks fourth consecutive double-digit kill games for the Illinois Native
• Thomas-Ailara also led the 'Cats in aces (2) and blocks (3)
• Sophomore Kiara McNulty and Senior Payton Chang tied for a team-high 12 assists. Chang also led with nine digs
• First-years Desiree Becker and Thomas-Ailara combined for five blocks for the 'Cats…. Becker also tied or set career highs in kills, attempts, serving aces, assists and digs
• Junior Nia Robinson has at least 10 kills in 9 of the last 10 games

 
vs. Duke…

• Northwestern out hit the Blue Devils, 39-24… Senior Olivia Viscuso and Thomas-Ailara tied for a game-high 10 kills
• The Wildcats had three players with serving aces including senior Allie Lindroth, Viscuso and junior Nia Robinson
• Senior Payton Chang led with a game-high 30 assists…. This marks Chang's fifth game of the season with 30+ assists