Friday, September 8
Boston, Mass.
4 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Northern Colorado
Photo by: Kylie Bridenhagen
Northwestern Sets Sights On Northeastern Invitational, Tilt With Fairfield
9/7/2023 9:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Wildcats to battle 2022 NCAA Tournament participant Northern Colorado on Friday
EVANSTON, Ill. (September 7, 2023) – After splitting a pair of matchups over the holiday weekend, Northwestern (2-3) closes out the road portion of its non-conference schedule this weekend as it jets east for three matches.
The 'Cats will open their stay on the East Coast at the Northeastern Invitational, battling Northern Colorado and host Northeastern, before trekking south to take on Fairfield in Sunday's weekend finale.
SCHEDULE
Friday, September 8 – vs. Northern Colorado * | 4 p.m. (CT)
Saturday, September 9 – at Northeastern * | 1 p.m. (CT)
Sunday, September 10 – at Fairfield | 12 p.m. (CT)
* Northeastern Invitational (Boston, Mass.)
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern went 1-1 across two matches over Labor Day weekend, sweeping Illinois State, 3-0, in last Friday's home opener ahead of dropping a 3-1 decision on the road at Milwaukee on Monday evening.
Kathryn Randorf paced the 'Cats in the victory over the Redbirds, notching a match-high 13 kills as Northwestern operated at a red-hot .417 (41-6-84) clip from the floor. Maddy Chinn dazzled against Milwaukee, hammering a career-best 17 kills to lead a group of three Wildcats in double figures that also included Randorf (13 kills) and Leilani Dodson (12 kills).
SCOUTING NORTHERN COLORADO
Reigning Big Sky Conference regular season and tournament champion Northern Colorado makes its way east at 3-3 overall following back-to-back 3-0 wins over Charlotte and Xavier, respectively, as part of the Colorado Classic last weekend. The Bears open play in the Northeastern Tournament on Thursday, taking on the host Huskies.
Tabbed as the Big Sky favorite, Northern Colorado's offense is led by Syd Cole, the league's most valuable player from a season ago who dishes out 9.76 assists per set (205 assists). First Team All-Big Sky selection Makenzie Harris has gotten off to a fast start in 2023, piling up 56 kills (2.67 k/s), while Gabi Placide (44 kills; 2.10 k/s) and Isabel Bennett (32 kills; 2.00 k/s) both average two-plus kills per frame.
On the defensive side of the net, Cece Huhn has a team-best 18 blocks (0.95 b/s) to her name, while Michaela Boon puts up 1.89 digs per set (34 digs).
SCOUTING NORTHEASTERN
Picked fifth in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Preseason Poll, Northeastern enters its home tournament at 3-3 on the year after winning three matchups last weekend as part of the Bryant Invitational, where it recorded wins over Lafayette, Siena, and host Bryant.
The Huskies' attack is spearheaded by the trio of Abby Reck (67 kills; 2.68 k/s), Anabel Zier (59 kills; 2.36, and Defne Arliel, all three of which average multiple kills per set. Jessica Frannea helps fuel the Northeastern offense, having tallied 153 assists (7.29 a/s). Pono Gacutan has been a rock defensively, averaging 2.65 digs per set (61 digs).
SCOUTING FAIRFIELD
Like Northwestern's other two opponents for the weekend, Fairfield resides at the .500 mark at 3-3 overall. The Stags are coming off a 3-0 setback to LIU this past Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Stags captured a fourth consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular season title in 2022, finishing 25-7 overall and 17-1 in MAAC action. Fairfield is piloted by veteran head coach Nancy Somera, who is in her first year with the Stags.
Mikayla Haut was enjoyed a fast start to her 2023 campaign, leading Fairfield with 53 kills (2.30 k/s). The pairing of Maya Walker and Elle Shult have formed a formidable tandem defensively. Walker averages a team-best 1.22 blocks per set (28 blocks), while Shult is hot on her heels at 1.13 blocks per set (26 blocks).
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena next week, where it will open a season-long five-game homestand by wrapping up non-conference action against UIC (September 13) and Yale (September 15).
The 'Cats will open their stay on the East Coast at the Northeastern Invitational, battling Northern Colorado and host Northeastern, before trekking south to take on Fairfield in Sunday's weekend finale.
SCHEDULE
Friday, September 8 – vs. Northern Colorado * | 4 p.m. (CT)
Saturday, September 9 – at Northeastern * | 1 p.m. (CT)
Sunday, September 10 – at Fairfield | 12 p.m. (CT)
* Northeastern Invitational (Boston, Mass.)
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern went 1-1 across two matches over Labor Day weekend, sweeping Illinois State, 3-0, in last Friday's home opener ahead of dropping a 3-1 decision on the road at Milwaukee on Monday evening.
Kathryn Randorf paced the 'Cats in the victory over the Redbirds, notching a match-high 13 kills as Northwestern operated at a red-hot .417 (41-6-84) clip from the floor. Maddy Chinn dazzled against Milwaukee, hammering a career-best 17 kills to lead a group of three Wildcats in double figures that also included Randorf (13 kills) and Leilani Dodson (12 kills).
SCOUTING NORTHERN COLORADO
Reigning Big Sky Conference regular season and tournament champion Northern Colorado makes its way east at 3-3 overall following back-to-back 3-0 wins over Charlotte and Xavier, respectively, as part of the Colorado Classic last weekend. The Bears open play in the Northeastern Tournament on Thursday, taking on the host Huskies.
Tabbed as the Big Sky favorite, Northern Colorado's offense is led by Syd Cole, the league's most valuable player from a season ago who dishes out 9.76 assists per set (205 assists). First Team All-Big Sky selection Makenzie Harris has gotten off to a fast start in 2023, piling up 56 kills (2.67 k/s), while Gabi Placide (44 kills; 2.10 k/s) and Isabel Bennett (32 kills; 2.00 k/s) both average two-plus kills per frame.
On the defensive side of the net, Cece Huhn has a team-best 18 blocks (0.95 b/s) to her name, while Michaela Boon puts up 1.89 digs per set (34 digs).
SCOUTING NORTHEASTERN
Picked fifth in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Preseason Poll, Northeastern enters its home tournament at 3-3 on the year after winning three matchups last weekend as part of the Bryant Invitational, where it recorded wins over Lafayette, Siena, and host Bryant.
The Huskies' attack is spearheaded by the trio of Abby Reck (67 kills; 2.68 k/s), Anabel Zier (59 kills; 2.36, and Defne Arliel, all three of which average multiple kills per set. Jessica Frannea helps fuel the Northeastern offense, having tallied 153 assists (7.29 a/s). Pono Gacutan has been a rock defensively, averaging 2.65 digs per set (61 digs).
SCOUTING FAIRFIELD
Like Northwestern's other two opponents for the weekend, Fairfield resides at the .500 mark at 3-3 overall. The Stags are coming off a 3-0 setback to LIU this past Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Stags captured a fourth consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular season title in 2022, finishing 25-7 overall and 17-1 in MAAC action. Fairfield is piloted by veteran head coach Nancy Somera, who is in her first year with the Stags.
Mikayla Haut was enjoyed a fast start to her 2023 campaign, leading Fairfield with 53 kills (2.30 k/s). The pairing of Maya Walker and Elle Shult have formed a formidable tandem defensively. Walker averages a team-best 1.22 blocks per set (28 blocks), while Shult is hot on her heels at 1.13 blocks per set (26 blocks).
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena next week, where it will open a season-long five-game homestand by wrapping up non-conference action against UIC (September 13) and Yale (September 15).
Players Mentioned
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