Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
7-8,1-4Big Ten
Michigan
3-11,1-4Big Ten
Northwestern Falls On The Road At Michigan, 3-1
10/6/2023 7:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Sangiacomo posts match-high 16 kills to lead Wildcats
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (October 6, 2023) - Julia Sangiacomo connected on a match-high 16 kills as Northwestern (7-8, 1-4 B1G) dropped a 23-25, 26-24, 23-25, 20-25 decision to host Michigan (3-11, 1-4 B1G) this evening inside the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.
How It Happened
SET 1 | Sangiacomo looked to pick up right where she left off following a career outing against Purdue last Sunday, tallying a trio of early kills to account for three of the Wildcats' first four points on the night. Following a 4-0 run that gave Michigan a 10-8 edge, Sangiacomo joined up with Ellie Husemann for a block that pulled Northwestern level, 10-10. Back-to-back Ellee Stinson services aces saw the 'Cats open up a two-point edge, 13-11. With the lead sitting at 20-15 following an Averie Hernandez kill, Michigan seized control, closing the set on a 10-3 tear to secure a 25-23 victory.
SET 2 | Northwestern found itself in an early hole in set two, as Michigan jumped out to a 6-2 lead. The Wildcats chipped away, taking a 10-9 advantage on a tandem block by Maddy Chinn and Leilani Dodson. Dodson joined up with Hernandez for another denial that broke a 14-14 tie and put Northwestern back on top, 15-14. As was the case in set one, Michigan looked to rally late, using a 4-1 push to turn a 22-19 deficit into a 23-23 tie. After seeing the hosts fend off a match point at 24-23, Hill and Hernandez teamed up on the block to make it 25-24 and set the stage for an Alexa Rousseau service ace that closed out a 26-24 win, evening the match up at one set apiece.
SET 3 | Chinn flexed her muscle early in set three, nothcing a solo block ahead of a kill that staked Northwestern to a 7-5 lead. Michigan rattled off four unanswered points shortly after, opening up a 12-9 edge and prompting a Northwestern timeout. A Gigi Navarrete service ace knotted the score up at 15-15 before Sangiacomo hammered off the block to edge the 'Cats back out in front, 18-17. Michigan again had an answer, using a 4-0 push to go on top, 22-19. Northwestern closed the deficit to one on a pair of occasions down the stretch, but was unable to erase its deficit as Michigan notched another 25-23 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
SET 4 | Michigan raced out of the gate in set four, scoring the frame's first six points to establish a 6-0 lead. Northwestern answered back, going on a 5-0 run capped off by another Hill and Hernandez denial to tie it up at 7-7. Hill made the most out of an opportunity in the middle, connecting flush on a kill that put the 'Cats in front, 11-10. Shortly thereafter, Michigan erased any hopes of a fifth set, seizing an 18-13 lead following an 8-2 run. Kills from Rousseau and Hernandez, respectively, clawed the 'Cats within three, 20-17, but Northwestern would get no closer the remainder of the night, with a Jacque Boney kill closing out a 25-20 victory for Michigan in set four.
Game Notes
» Sangiacomo led all players with a match-high 16 kills.
» Sangiacomo has posted 10-plus kill efforts in 10 matches this season.
» Hernandez reached double figures in kills for a third consecutive outing, adding 10 kills.
» Northwestern had three players finish in double figures in digs.
» Stinson, who recorded a pair of service aces, led the 'Cats with 18 digs.
» Rousseau notched her third double-double in as many matches, contributing 15 digs in addition to 25 assists and five blocks.
» Navarrete rounded out the trio with 10 digs, her third straight match in double figures in the category.
» Dodson paced Northwestern at the net, finishing with seven blocks.
» Kendall Murray led the Michigan attack with 13 kills.
Up Next
Northwestern looks to get back on track on Saturday when it makes the hour trek to East Lansing, Mich. to take on Michigan State. First serve from the Breslin Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT).
This article created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
