EVANSTON, Ill. (October 31, 2023) – Northwestern (11-11, 5-7 B1G) begins a stretch that sees it play five of its next six matches away from home on Wednesday evening when it treks south down Interstate 59 to meet in-state foe Illinois. The 8 p.m. matchup between the Wildcats and Fighting Illini from inside Huff Hall will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
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LAST TIME OUT
Three Wildcats posted double-doubles as Northwestern surged to a five-set win, 3-2, over Indiana this past Sunday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
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Averie Hernandez led the attack, finishing with a career-high 21 kills and 14 digs, while Kennedy Hill was a force at the net, posting 12 kills and 11 blocks, both career-best marks. Alexa Rousseau (53 assists, 11 digs) notched her eighth double-double in 10 matches, while Leilani Dodson pounded out a season-high 15 kills.
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SCOUTING ILLINOIS
Illinois (12-10, 7-5 B1G) enters Wednesday's matchup with the 'Cats as one of the Big Ten's hottest teams, having won five straight matches, most recently knocking off No. 16 Purdue, 3-1, this past Saturday.
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2022 All-Big Ten selection Raina Terry is in the midst of a dominant senior campaign, averaging 4.52 kills per set, a mark that ranks second in the league. Kayla Burbage (2.22 k/s) and Kennedy Collins (2.05 k/s) add two-plus kills per set, with Collins also contributing a team-best 1.19 blocks per set.
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SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and Illinois will clash for the 96th time on Wednesday evening. The Fighting Illini lead the all-time series, 64-31 (.674), a mark that includes a 35-9 (.795) record in matches played in Champaign, Ill.
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The two teams split the season series last year, with the home side recording a three-set sweep in both matchups. In the matchup at Huff Hall on September 24, 2022, Kathryn Randorf put up 11 kills, while Dodson tallied five blocks.
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UP NEXT
Northwestern is back inside Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday, November 5 at 1 p.m. to battle Minnesota on Alumnae Day.
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LAST TIME OUT
Three Wildcats posted double-doubles as Northwestern surged to a five-set win, 3-2, over Indiana this past Sunday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
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Averie Hernandez led the attack, finishing with a career-high 21 kills and 14 digs, while Kennedy Hill was a force at the net, posting 12 kills and 11 blocks, both career-best marks. Alexa Rousseau (53 assists, 11 digs) notched her eighth double-double in 10 matches, while Leilani Dodson pounded out a season-high 15 kills.
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SCOUTING ILLINOIS
Illinois (12-10, 7-5 B1G) enters Wednesday's matchup with the 'Cats as one of the Big Ten's hottest teams, having won five straight matches, most recently knocking off No. 16 Purdue, 3-1, this past Saturday.
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2022 All-Big Ten selection Raina Terry is in the midst of a dominant senior campaign, averaging 4.52 kills per set, a mark that ranks second in the league. Kayla Burbage (2.22 k/s) and Kennedy Collins (2.05 k/s) add two-plus kills per set, with Collins also contributing a team-best 1.19 blocks per set.
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SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and Illinois will clash for the 96th time on Wednesday evening. The Fighting Illini lead the all-time series, 64-31 (.674), a mark that includes a 35-9 (.795) record in matches played in Champaign, Ill.
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The two teams split the season series last year, with the home side recording a three-set sweep in both matchups. In the matchup at Huff Hall on September 24, 2022, Kathryn Randorf put up 11 kills, while Dodson tallied five blocks.
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UP NEXT
Northwestern is back inside Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday, November 5 at 1 p.m. to battle Minnesota on Alumnae Day.