Northwestern
3-6,1-0Big Ten
Maryland
9-3,0-1Big Ten
'Cats Top Terrapins in Big Ten Opener
9/26/2024 8:47:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Alexa Rousseau recorded the third triple-double of her career with 17 kills, 15 digs and 25 assists to power Northwestern to a 3-2 victory (19-25, 25-22, 18-25, 27-25, 15-11) over the Maryland Terrapins in their Big Ten opener on the road Thursday at XFINITY Center Pavilion.
The conference win improved Northwestern's record to 3-6 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten action.
Rousseau had an outstanding day, notching a career-high 17 kills alongside 15 digs, and 25 assists to lead the Wildcats. Buse Hazan also added 15 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Drew Wright chipped in with 16 digs and Kennedy Hill contributed nine blocks from the middle.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Wildcats found themselves in an early deficit, losing a tough first set 25-19. Northwestern trailed by as many as nine points as Maryland grabbed the advantage for good at 9-8 in a set that was notted up five times before the Terrapins took control.
SET 2 | Northwestern tied the match at 1-1 after a 25-22 second-set win. The Wildcats persevered in a back-and-forth set to win in a stanza that featured six lead changes and was tied 14 times. Neither team led by more than three points along the way. Northwestern's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking six Maryland attacks in the stanza.
SET 3 | Maryland regained the lead after defeating the Wildcats in set three. The Wildcats fell behind on the first point and never clawed back into the lead before falling in the set 25-18.
SET 4 | Northwestern then responded to secure a tight set four, 27-25, to force a fifth set. The Wildcats came out on top of a close battle, winning in a stanza that was tied seven times and had two lead changes. Northwestern got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked seven Maryland attacks in the period.
SET 5 | Northwestern completed their comeback with a 15-11 fifth-set victory to take the match 3-2. The Wildcats took control of the fifth set at 3-2 and never looked back. They led by as many as four points at 11-7 before finishing off the set, collecting 10 kills while only notching one attack error in the process.
Game Notes
» Alexa Rousseau's triple-double was the third of her career and her first since 2022.
» With her 15 kills tonight, Buse Hazan has now reached double figures in seven of nine matches as a Wildcat.
» Lauren Carter's 18 assists were a career high, and she has now recorded double-digit assists in back-to-back matches.
» Sophia Summers tied her career high with seven blocks, her most as a Wildcat.
» Northwestern had three players in double figures in digs, including a match-high 16 from Drew Wright.
Up Next
Northwestern returns home to host No. 7 Wisconsin this Saturday in their Welsh-Ryan conference opener. The 'Cats and the Badgers are set to tip off in Evanston at 7 p.m. CT.
