Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, October 13
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Maryland
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Entertains Maryland Friday, Visits No. 24 Minnesota Sunday
10/12/2023 1:07:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
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‘Cats coming off thrilling five-set win over Michigan State last Saturday
EVANSTON, Ill. (October 12, 2023) – Northwestern (8-8, 2-4 B1G) begins a stretch that sees it play three of its next four matches at home this weekend, hosting Maryland in a 7 p.m. first serve inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. The 'Cats will hit the road less than 48 hours later, battling No. 24 Minnesota at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, Minn.
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern bounced back from a 3-1 setback at Michigan last Friday by upending Michigan State in five sets, 3-2, 24 hours later at the Breslin Center.
The 'Cats were led against the Spartans by Julia Sangiacomo, who pounded a match-high 32 kills, her second 30-plus kill showing of 2023. Averie Hernandez turned in another impressive showing as well, finishing with a career-best 17 kills, while Alexa Rousseau extended her double-double streak to four matches.
SCOUTING MARYLAND
Maryland arrives in Evanston on the heels of a 1-1 homestand in which it upended No. 16 Minnesota, 3-2, ahead of a defeat in straight sets, 3-0, at the hands of Indiana.
Sam Csire, who joined Maryland's 1,000-kill club earlier this season, has been the Terrapins' top offensive threat, averaging 2.98 kills per set. The pairing of Anastasia Russ (.393) and Eva Rohrbach (.389) have proven to be two of the league's most efficient attackers, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively, on the Big Ten's leaderboard in hitting percentage. Russ (6th; 1.27 b/s) and Rohrbach (7th; 1.25 b/s) also rank in the top 10 in blocks.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Currently sitting at No. 24 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Taraflex Coaches Poll, Minnesota rolled to a three-set sweep on the road at Michigan on Wednesday night, running its record to 7-8 overall (3-4 B1G).
First-year head coach Keegan Cook's offense is highlighted by McKenna Wucherer, who averages a team-best 3.37 kills per set. Melani Saffmaster ranks 10th in the Big Ten in assists (455; 8.58 a/s), while Loyola Marymount transfer Phoebe Awoleye has made an immediate impact on the defensive side of the net, putting up 1.33 blocks per set, a mark that puts her fourth on the league leaderboard in category.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and Maryland will meet for the 17th time on Friday, a series in which the Terrapins lead, 9-7 (.562). The two teams split the season series in 2022, with each team winning on the other's home floor. Maryland has prevailed in its last four visits to Evanston, with Northwestern's last win over the Terrapins inside Welsh-Ryan Arena coming in a three-set sweep back on November 18, 2016.
Minnesota holds a 63-20 (.759) in the all-time series between the Wildcats and Golden Gophers. Entering last season, Minnesota had ripped off 13 straight victories against Northwestern before the 'Cats scored a stunning 3-2 upset of the then seventh-ranked Golden Gophers inside Maturi Pavilion on September 28, 2022. Leilani Dodson put up 11 kills, while Rousseau dished out 52 assists in the win, Northwestern's first on the road over a top-10 ranked opponent in program history.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday, October 18 to battle No. 2 Nebraska in a 7 p.m. first serve.
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern bounced back from a 3-1 setback at Michigan last Friday by upending Michigan State in five sets, 3-2, 24 hours later at the Breslin Center.
The 'Cats were led against the Spartans by Julia Sangiacomo, who pounded a match-high 32 kills, her second 30-plus kill showing of 2023. Averie Hernandez turned in another impressive showing as well, finishing with a career-best 17 kills, while Alexa Rousseau extended her double-double streak to four matches.
SCOUTING MARYLAND
Maryland arrives in Evanston on the heels of a 1-1 homestand in which it upended No. 16 Minnesota, 3-2, ahead of a defeat in straight sets, 3-0, at the hands of Indiana.
Sam Csire, who joined Maryland's 1,000-kill club earlier this season, has been the Terrapins' top offensive threat, averaging 2.98 kills per set. The pairing of Anastasia Russ (.393) and Eva Rohrbach (.389) have proven to be two of the league's most efficient attackers, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively, on the Big Ten's leaderboard in hitting percentage. Russ (6th; 1.27 b/s) and Rohrbach (7th; 1.25 b/s) also rank in the top 10 in blocks.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Currently sitting at No. 24 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Taraflex Coaches Poll, Minnesota rolled to a three-set sweep on the road at Michigan on Wednesday night, running its record to 7-8 overall (3-4 B1G).
First-year head coach Keegan Cook's offense is highlighted by McKenna Wucherer, who averages a team-best 3.37 kills per set. Melani Saffmaster ranks 10th in the Big Ten in assists (455; 8.58 a/s), while Loyola Marymount transfer Phoebe Awoleye has made an immediate impact on the defensive side of the net, putting up 1.33 blocks per set, a mark that puts her fourth on the league leaderboard in category.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and Maryland will meet for the 17th time on Friday, a series in which the Terrapins lead, 9-7 (.562). The two teams split the season series in 2022, with each team winning on the other's home floor. Maryland has prevailed in its last four visits to Evanston, with Northwestern's last win over the Terrapins inside Welsh-Ryan Arena coming in a three-set sweep back on November 18, 2016.
Minnesota holds a 63-20 (.759) in the all-time series between the Wildcats and Golden Gophers. Entering last season, Minnesota had ripped off 13 straight victories against Northwestern before the 'Cats scored a stunning 3-2 upset of the then seventh-ranked Golden Gophers inside Maturi Pavilion on September 28, 2022. Leilani Dodson put up 11 kills, while Rousseau dished out 52 assists in the win, Northwestern's first on the road over a top-10 ranked opponent in program history.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday, October 18 to battle No. 2 Nebraska in a 7 p.m. first serve.
Players Mentioned
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