Northwestern
5-17,3-11Big Ten
Iowa
9-17,3-11Big Ten
Wildcats Down Hawkeyes 3-1 in Coralville
11/10/2024 5:33:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CORALVILLE, Iowa -- The Wildcats secured the season sweep over Iowa with a four-set victory (25-23, 15-25, 25-18, 25-18) on the road Sunday at Xtream Arena.
The victory improved the Wildcats' record to 5-17 overall and 3-11 in Big Ten action.
The Wildcats were led by double-doubles from both Kennedy Hill, who registered 11 kills and 11 blocks, and Alexa Rousseau, who contributed 20 assists alongside her 11 kills. Elsewhere on the defensive end, Drew Wright chipped in with 12 digs to go with four blocks from Kathryn Randorf.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Wildcats grabbed the first set 25-23, powered by a strong showing on the attacking end. Northwestern registered a .424 attack percentage with 17 kills in the set victory. After the lead changed hands one time, the Wildcats scored the final two points of the set to secure victory. The 'Cats supplemented their offense with four aces in the opening set.
SET 2 | Northwestern then lost set two 25-15, tying the match at a set apiece. Northwestern trailed by as many as 11 points as Iowa grabbed the advantage for good at 10-9 in a set that was tied up six times before the Hawkeyes took over the lead.
SET 3 | Northwestern bounced back following the second-set loss to grab set three and a 2-1 lead in the match. The Wildcats led from the first point on in the set to secure a 25-18 victory. Northwestern ended on a high note, claiming its biggest lead, seven points, to finish off the set. The Northwestern offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza. Northwestern's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking six Iowa attacks in the set and capitalizing on ten Iowa attacking errors on the way to victory.
SET 4 | Northwestern kept the momentum going, finishing off the match with a 25-18 set-four victory. The Wildcats took the lead for good at 10-9 in a set that showcased four lead changes before the Wildcats took over the lead. Northwestern again got a solid defensive performance from their front row, who blocked six more Iowa attacks, including the match clincher.
Game Notes
» Northwestern had three players in double figures in kills - Hill, Rousseau and Buse Hazan, who had ten.
» Kennedy Hill had a match-high 11 blocks, a season high and the second double-digit blocking game of her career.
» Hill's double-double was also the second of her career - joining last year's blocks/kills double-double against Indiana.
» Northwestern attackers were helped by a team-high 20 assists from Rousseau. She has reached the 20-assist mark five times in her last eight matches.
Up Next
The 'Cats wil continue their road stint with a trip to the west coast next weekend, where they'll match up with Oregon and Washington for the first time as conference foes. Northwestern will take on the Ducks on Friday at 8 p.m. CT before visiting the Huskies on Sunday at 4 p.m. CT.
