Northwestern
6-8,1-2Big Ten
Rutgers
8-6,0-3Big Ten
Thomas-Ailara Shines in Sweep of Rutgers
10/1/2021 8:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern won its first Big Ten game of the season in a packed Welsh-Ryan Arena with a 3-0 sweep of Rutgers.
Temi Thomas-Ailara was a force at the net and on Northwestern's back line. She led the team in kills (16), digs (11) and blocks (7); almost managing to put away a triple double. Hannah Lesiak followed with seven kills and eight digs. Meanwhile, Tatyana Hardwick matched her career high with a whopping six blocks in her second outing of the season.
The 'Cats got off to a slow start in the first set, allowing the Scarlet Knights to hold onto a two point lead. Thomas-Ailara wasn't having it and took control of the Northwestern offense, grabbing three points in a 5-0 run to put Northwestern back on top. She went on to post nine kills and two blocks, including the final kill to put the first set away 25-19.
Thomas-Ailara got the Wildcats off to a great start, setting the tone for the second set. Dodson, Lesiak and Hardwick got in on the action at the net, building a five-point advantage. A late rally by Rutgers proved futile and Northwestern took a 25-23 victory in the second set. Thomas-Ailara earned the final point of the set once again with a solo block.
Northwestern and Rutgers went back and forth in the third set early before the Scarlet Knights managed to create a four-point lead. Battling from behind, efforts from Thomas-Ailara, Lesiak and Dodson tied things up. Lesiak grabbed the final kill of the match and secured the win, 25-23.
The Wildcats will be back in action tomorrow where they will face No. 7 Minnesota at 7 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
