Northwestern
4-11,2-5Big Ten
Iowa
9-10,3-4Big Ten
Wildcats Take Down Hawkeyes in Four Sets
10/16/2024 10:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, IL -- The Northwestern volleyball team needed only four sets (25-22, 25-13, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22) to defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes Wednesday at home at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
The win improved Northwestern's record to 4-11 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten play.
Kennedy Hill finished with 12 kills to lead the Wildcats for the second time in her career, while hitting an impressive .632. Rylen Reid also pitched in with six kills and a career-high six aces on a night where the 'Cats saw a season-high 13 team aces. Graduate student Alexa Rousseau led the squad in both assists with 23, and digs with nine. Sophia Summers was also a factor for Northwestern, serving five aces to go along with six kills.
Game Notes
» The Wildcats set a new season-high in aces with 13.
» Rylen Reid had a match-high six aces in the win, setting a new career high.
» Junior Kennedy Hill had a team-high 12 kills for Northwestern, posting double-digit kills for the third time this season and leading the 'Cats for the second time in her career.
» Alexa Rousseau led the 'Cats in digs with nine, and in assists with 23. Her fifth assist of the night moved her into fifth in Northwestern program history in career assists.
» Sophia Summers posted a career-high five aces, racking up at least three aces for the second straight game after recording just one previously in her career.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Wildcats endured a furious Iowa rally in the first set, hanging on to win 25-22 after leading by seven points at 23-16 earlier in the set. Northwestern dominated on serve, recording four aces in the set.
SET 2 | After their win in the first set, Northwestern put themselves on the cusp of a sweep with a dominant 25-13 victory in set number two. The Wildcats took control of the lead early on at 6-5 and held the it the rest of the way. Northwestern opened its biggest advantage of the stanza, 12 points, to finish off the set. The Northwestern offense yet again served four aces in the stanza. Northwestern's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Iowa attacks in the set.
SET 3 | Northwestern couldn't finish off the sweep, dropping set three to make their lead two sets to one in the match. The Wildcats fell behind on the first point and never clawed back into the lead before falling in the set 25-19.
SET 4 | Northwestern then responded to finish off the match with a 25-22 set-four victory. A solid showing on the attacking side led the Wildcats to victory in the set. Northwestern registered a .400 attack percentage with 12 kills in the set win. After the lead changed hands three times, the Wildcats took control for good at 21-20 and rode that advantage to victory. Northwestern got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked five Iowa attacks in the stanza.
Up Next
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan arena to face Big Ten newcomer UCLA on Sunday. First serve between the Wildcats and Bruins is set for 1 p.m. CT on B1G+.
