Northwestern
5-20,3-14Big Ten
USC
19-8,11-6Big Ten
Wildcats Fall to Trojans in Four Sets
11/21/2024 9:22:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Northwestern volleyball team fell to the USC Trojans 3-1 (24-26, 25-21, 15-25, 16-25) Thursday at home at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
The loss dropped Northwestern's record to 5-20 overall and 3-14 in Big Ten action.
Buse Hazan finished with 11 kills on the day to lead the Wildcats attack, Rylen Reid posted a career-best ten digs, and Sophia Summers racked up five blocks.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Wildcats fell in a tight first set, losing 26-24 in a game that was tied seven times and had one lead change.
SET 2 | Northwestern rallied after dropping the first set to take set two 25-21, tying the match at one set apiece. The Wildcats never trailed by more than five points and grabbed the advantage for good at 20-19 in a set that showcased four lead changes before the Wildcats took over in the second half of the stanza. The Northwestern offense also got a boost from four aces in the stanza.
SET 3 | USC went ahead 2-1 in the match after defeating the Wildcats in the third set. The Wildcats fell behind on the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way before losing the set 25-15.
SET 4 | Northwestern then lost the fourth set 25-16 to finish off the match. The Wildcats fell behind on the first point and never clawed back.
Game Notes
» Alexa Rousseau had a match-high three aces and led the 'Cats with 19 assists.
» Buse Hazan led the Northwestern offense with 11 kills.
» Northwestern got a team-high ten digs from Rylen Reid, who also chipped in six kills. The junior has improved her career high for digs three times in the last five matches.
» Kennedy Hill chipped in seven kills, and Lauren Carter racked up 13 assists.
Up Next
Northwestern is set to close out the home half of their season on Saturday, when they Rutgers in Welsh-Ryan Arena on Senior Night. First serve between the 'Cats and the Scarlet Knights is set for 7 p.m. CT on B1G+.
