Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, November 17
New Brunswick, N.J.
6 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Rutgers
Photo by: Katy Cowell
Northwestern Wraps Up Road Slate At Rutgers, No. 14 Penn State
11/16/2023 3:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
‘Cats coming off 3-0 sweep of Iowa last Sunday
EVANSTON, Ill. (November 16, 2023) – Northwestern (12-14, 6-10 B1G) hits the road for the final time in 2023 this weekend, jetting east for a pair of matchups. The Wildcats will battle Rutgers on Friday evening before a Saturday night showdown with No. 14 Penn State. Both matches will begin at 6 p.m. (CT).
LAST TIME OUT
For the third time in as many matches, Julia Sangiacomo and Averie Hernandez both reached double figures in kills as Northwestern posted a 3-0 sweep of Iowa this past Sunday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.
Sangiacomo put up a match-best 15 kills, her 17th match this season in double figures in the category. Hernandez cracked the 10-kill mark for the 12th time in 14 matches, finishing with 11 spikes and a match-high three service aces. Maddy Chinn and Kennedy Hill led Northwestern defensively, each posting six blocks.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
Following a 3-1 setback to Michigan last Sunday, Rutgers (10-16, 2-14 B1G) has dropped five straight matches, a skid that dates back to a 3-0 loss to No. 1 Nebraska on October 28.
Alissa Kinkela leads the way for fourth-year head coach Caitlin Schweihofer, pelting a team-high 3.00 kills per set. Taylor Humphrey (2.26 k/s) and Tina Grkovic (2.16 k/s) also provide support offensively. Alyssa Nayar sits ninth on the league leaderboard in assists (8.86 a/s), while Madyson Chitty puts up 3.64 digs per set, a mark that also puts her ninth in the Big Ten.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Currently sitting at No. 14 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Taraflex Coaches Poll, Penn State (17-8, 11-5 B1G), under the direction of head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, is coming off an impressive 3-1 triumph over No. 2 Wisconsin at Rec Hall this past Saturday.
Jess Mruzik features as one of the nation's premier outside hitters, averaging 4.47 kills per set, at tally good enough for third in the Big Ten and 13th nationally. Mac Podraza distributes 10.29 assists per set, raking second overall in the league. Allie Holland has been a force at the net, racking up 1.38 blocks per set to sit third on the Big Ten leaderboard in the category.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and Rutgers will matchup for the 14th time on Friday evening, a series the 'Cats lead, 12-1 (.923). The Wildcats are a perfect 8-0 (1.000) all-time on the road against the Scarlet Knights. Northwestern swept the season against Rutgers last season, including a 3-1 win in Piscataway, N.J. on October 21, 2022. Leilani Dodson put up 10 kills and a match-high seven blocks in the victory.
Winners of 10 straight against the Wildcats, Penn State holds a 57-9 (.864) edge in 66 previous meetings with Northwestern. When the two teams met back on September 24 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, Sangiacomo finished with nine kills, but Northwestern hit just .185 (31-14-92) as Penn State posted a 3-0 victory.
UP NEXT
Northwestern wraps up the regular season next week when it welcomes Iowa (November 24) and Illinois (November 25) to Welsh-Ryan Arena. Senior Night festivities will follow the matchup with the Fighting Illini.
LAST TIME OUT
For the third time in as many matches, Julia Sangiacomo and Averie Hernandez both reached double figures in kills as Northwestern posted a 3-0 sweep of Iowa this past Sunday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.
Sangiacomo put up a match-best 15 kills, her 17th match this season in double figures in the category. Hernandez cracked the 10-kill mark for the 12th time in 14 matches, finishing with 11 spikes and a match-high three service aces. Maddy Chinn and Kennedy Hill led Northwestern defensively, each posting six blocks.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
Following a 3-1 setback to Michigan last Sunday, Rutgers (10-16, 2-14 B1G) has dropped five straight matches, a skid that dates back to a 3-0 loss to No. 1 Nebraska on October 28.
Alissa Kinkela leads the way for fourth-year head coach Caitlin Schweihofer, pelting a team-high 3.00 kills per set. Taylor Humphrey (2.26 k/s) and Tina Grkovic (2.16 k/s) also provide support offensively. Alyssa Nayar sits ninth on the league leaderboard in assists (8.86 a/s), while Madyson Chitty puts up 3.64 digs per set, a mark that also puts her ninth in the Big Ten.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Currently sitting at No. 14 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Taraflex Coaches Poll, Penn State (17-8, 11-5 B1G), under the direction of head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, is coming off an impressive 3-1 triumph over No. 2 Wisconsin at Rec Hall this past Saturday.
Jess Mruzik features as one of the nation's premier outside hitters, averaging 4.47 kills per set, at tally good enough for third in the Big Ten and 13th nationally. Mac Podraza distributes 10.29 assists per set, raking second overall in the league. Allie Holland has been a force at the net, racking up 1.38 blocks per set to sit third on the Big Ten leaderboard in the category.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and Rutgers will matchup for the 14th time on Friday evening, a series the 'Cats lead, 12-1 (.923). The Wildcats are a perfect 8-0 (1.000) all-time on the road against the Scarlet Knights. Northwestern swept the season against Rutgers last season, including a 3-1 win in Piscataway, N.J. on October 21, 2022. Leilani Dodson put up 10 kills and a match-high seven blocks in the victory.
Winners of 10 straight against the Wildcats, Penn State holds a 57-9 (.864) edge in 66 previous meetings with Northwestern. When the two teams met back on September 24 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, Sangiacomo finished with nine kills, but Northwestern hit just .185 (31-14-92) as Penn State posted a 3-0 victory.
UP NEXT
Northwestern wraps up the regular season next week when it welcomes Iowa (November 24) and Illinois (November 25) to Welsh-Ryan Arena. Senior Night festivities will follow the matchup with the Fighting Illini.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballVolleyball - 'Cats Outlast Michigan in Five-Set Thriller (10/16/25)
Friday, October 17
Volleyball - Wildcats Sweep Campbell to Close Non-Conference Play (9/20/2025)
Sunday, September 21
Volleyball - 'Cats Defeat Valparaiso in Home Opener Reverse Sweep (9/9/2025)
Wednesday, September 10
Volleyball - Tim Nollan, Sienna Noordemeer, and Ayah Elnady at Big Ten Media Days (7/28/25)
Monday, July 28
