Northwestern
Rutgers
Wildcats Continue Big Ten Play in Weekend Doubleheader
9/30/2021 9:12:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
| NORTHWESTERN VOLLEYBALL: GAMEDAY INFORMATION | |||||
| DATE | Opponent | TIME | LOCATION | Streaming | Live Stats |
| Friday, Oct. 1 | Rutgers | 7 pm CT | Welsh-Ryan Arena | B1G+ | Live Stats |
| Saturday, Oct. 2 | No. 7 Minnesota | 7 pm CT | Welsh-Ryan Arena | B1G+ | Live Stats |
| Social: Twitter: @NUVBall Instagram: @NUVBall | |||||
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern Volleyball will remain at home this weekend to continue their Big Ten play with a double-header against Rutgers and No. 7 Minnesota.
Coming off two losses at the hands of No. 12 Nebraska and Illinois, the 'Cats will look to rebound with a win against the Scarlet Knights on Friday at 7 p.m. (BTN+) Last season Northwestern pulled out two 3-0 sweeps of Rutgers back-to-back.
The Wildcats will then go on to face No. 7 Minnesota at 7 p.m. on Saturday (BTN+). In their last match-up, Northwestern managed to take a set off the Gophers, who were ranked No. 4 at the time.
As conference play has gotten underway, Northwestern's offense has been on full display through juniors Temi Thomas-Ailara and Hannah Lesiak, alongside sophomore Leilani Dodson. All three logged double-digit kills against Nebraska and Illinois. Lesiak was on-target against the Cornhuskers, leading the team with 14 kills; while Thomas-Ailara was the star against the Illini, posting a whopping 19 kills.
Lesiak and Dodson have also impressed on the defensive end. Working alongside senior Megan Miller on the back-line, Lesiak has accrued 114 digs; second-only to Miller's 172. On the other hand, Dodson has been a force at the net, collecting 44 blocks so far this season. Second on the team, behind Desiree Becker with 54.
The 'Cats have also been lethal from the service-line. Miller, Lesiak and first-year Ellee Stinson all recorded an ace in both games over the past week.
