Friday, October 6
Ann Arbor, Mich.
5 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Michigan
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats Head North For Road Trip Through Michigan
10/5/2023 2:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Friday’s clash with Michigan to be televised live on Big Ten Network
EVANSTON, Ill. (October 5, 2023) – Coming off its fifth win over a ranked opponent since the start of last season, Northwestern (7-7, 1-3 B1G) ventures out on a two-match road swing through the state of Michigan this weekend.
The road trip begins on Friday evening when the 'Cats invade the Crisler Center for a 5 p.m. (CT) tilt with Michigan that will be televised live on Big Ten Network. A second matchup with Michigan State over just an eight-day span follows at 6 p.m. (CT) on Saturday night inside the Breslin Center.
LAST TIME OUT
After dropping a tightly contested 3-2 decision to Michigan State last Friday inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, Northwestern rallied back from a 2-0 deficit two days later on its way to stunning No. 17 Purdue, 3-2. Julia Sangiacomo turned in one of the top individual performances in program history, hammering a career-best 33 kills, a mark that ranks second on the program's single-match record board in the category.
Averie Hernandez enjoyed a breakout week for the 'Cats, erupting for a career-high 15 kills in Friday's clash with the Spartans ahead of putting up 13 kills versus Purdue. Over the course of the weekend, Hernandez averaged 2.80 kills per set.
Ellee Stinson continued her stout defensive work, putting up 3.70 digs per set, an average that was elevated by a 21-dig showing in Sunday's comeback win over the Boilermakers.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Picked 10th in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, Michigan (2-11, 0-4 B1G) finds itself mired in a seven-match skid that dates back to a 3-1 setback against Duke on September 9.
On the attack front, Kendall Murray is one of four Wolverines to average two-plus kills per set, putting up a team-best 2.61 kills per set. Scottee Johnson has been the primary facilitator, dishing out 7.49 assists per set, while Jacque Boney has made her mark defensively, averaging 0.88 blocks per set.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State has rattled of wins in seven of its last eight matches to run its record to 11-4 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten Conference play.
Taylah Holdem (3.59 kills/set) has been a nearly unstoppable force for the Spartans, putting up double-doubles in three consecutive matches, a stretch highlighted by a 25-kill, 14-dig showing last Friday against the Wildcats. Aliyah Moore (2.79 kills/set) and Grace Kelly (2.41 kills/set) also provide support on the offensive side of the net.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern looks to snap a five-match winless stretch against Michigan on Friday, a run that has seen the Wolverines open up a 49-29 (.628) lead in the all-time series. The 'Cats last win over Michigan came back on November 10, 2017, a 3-2 triumph in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Winners of seven of the last 10 meetings between the two schools, Michigan State owns a 44-37 (.543) advantage in 81 previous matchups against the 'Cats. Northwestern will be in search of its first road win over the Spartans since a three-set sweep on November 1, 2019.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Friday, October 13 to entertain Maryland in a 7 p.m. first serve. The Wildcats hit the road less than 48 hours later, traveling to Minnesota for a 12:30 p.m. clash on Sunday, October 15.
The road trip begins on Friday evening when the 'Cats invade the Crisler Center for a 5 p.m. (CT) tilt with Michigan that will be televised live on Big Ten Network. A second matchup with Michigan State over just an eight-day span follows at 6 p.m. (CT) on Saturday night inside the Breslin Center.
LAST TIME OUT
After dropping a tightly contested 3-2 decision to Michigan State last Friday inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, Northwestern rallied back from a 2-0 deficit two days later on its way to stunning No. 17 Purdue, 3-2. Julia Sangiacomo turned in one of the top individual performances in program history, hammering a career-best 33 kills, a mark that ranks second on the program's single-match record board in the category.
Averie Hernandez enjoyed a breakout week for the 'Cats, erupting for a career-high 15 kills in Friday's clash with the Spartans ahead of putting up 13 kills versus Purdue. Over the course of the weekend, Hernandez averaged 2.80 kills per set.
Ellee Stinson continued her stout defensive work, putting up 3.70 digs per set, an average that was elevated by a 21-dig showing in Sunday's comeback win over the Boilermakers.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Picked 10th in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, Michigan (2-11, 0-4 B1G) finds itself mired in a seven-match skid that dates back to a 3-1 setback against Duke on September 9.
On the attack front, Kendall Murray is one of four Wolverines to average two-plus kills per set, putting up a team-best 2.61 kills per set. Scottee Johnson has been the primary facilitator, dishing out 7.49 assists per set, while Jacque Boney has made her mark defensively, averaging 0.88 blocks per set.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State has rattled of wins in seven of its last eight matches to run its record to 11-4 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten Conference play.
Taylah Holdem (3.59 kills/set) has been a nearly unstoppable force for the Spartans, putting up double-doubles in three consecutive matches, a stretch highlighted by a 25-kill, 14-dig showing last Friday against the Wildcats. Aliyah Moore (2.79 kills/set) and Grace Kelly (2.41 kills/set) also provide support on the offensive side of the net.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern looks to snap a five-match winless stretch against Michigan on Friday, a run that has seen the Wolverines open up a 49-29 (.628) lead in the all-time series. The 'Cats last win over Michigan came back on November 10, 2017, a 3-2 triumph in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Winners of seven of the last 10 meetings between the two schools, Michigan State owns a 44-37 (.543) advantage in 81 previous matchups against the 'Cats. Northwestern will be in search of its first road win over the Spartans since a three-set sweep on November 1, 2019.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Friday, October 13 to entertain Maryland in a 7 p.m. first serve. The Wildcats hit the road less than 48 hours later, traveling to Minnesota for a 12:30 p.m. clash on Sunday, October 15.
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