'Cats Drop 3-0 Match to Rival Illini

Sunday, October 19

Evanston, Ill.

2 p.m. CT

Northwestern

13-7,3-5Big Ten

Illinois

12-5,7-1Big Ten

Illinois

Northwestern

Photo by: Michelle Nartey/Northwestern Athletics

10/19/2025 4:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern volleyball dropped a three-set match (22-25, 22-25, 25-27) against Illinois on Sunday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The loss drops the Wildcats to 13-7 and 3-5 in Big Ten play, while Illinois improves to 12-6 and 7-1 in conference action.

Ayah Elnady and Buse Hazan led the way for the Northwestern attack, coming up with 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Hazan, Campbell Paris, and Kayla Kauffman all came up with two blocks in the match.

How It Happened

SET 1 | Hazan picked up right where she left off on Thursday, getting the first point of the match on a kill. A 4-0 run allowed the 'Cats to secure an early lead, but the Illini were able to keep the score close after putting together a run of their own. Illinois took the lead at 15-13 to go into the media timeout, and the lead soon extended to 18-14, forcing a Northwestern timeout. A pair of kills from Bella Bullington and Bella Simkus generated some energy, and a service ace from Drew Wright cut the Illinois lead to three late. The set was closely contested the rest of the way, as the Wildcats rallied to bring the score within two points, but in the end the Illini were able to secure the first-set victory.

SET 2 | The second set also stayed close through the first stretch of play. Back-to-back service aces put some pressure on the 'Cats, but they found momentum after a kill from Bullington. Illinois jumped out to a 20-12 lead, but two kills from Elnady brought a much-needed spark of energy to Welsh-Ryan. The 'Cats cut the Illini lead to as few as two points, but in the end, the comeback came up just a little short, and they dropped the second set 25-22.

SET 3 | Northwestern came out hot in the third set, grabbing a quick 5-2 lead. An Illini service ace tied the score up at 7-7, but the 'Cats were able to pull away after kills from Bullington and Elnady. After Illinois grabbed the lead again, a Hazan kill brought the set back within two. A service ace from Lily Wagner forced an Illinois timeout, and the Wildcats continued to fight through the final stretch of play. Northwestern took the lead at 22-21, and a Paris kill brought the 'Cats to set point, but the Illini responded to force extra points and rallied late, ultimately taking the set 27-25.

Game Notes

- Ayah Elnady had 12 kills to go along with nine digs. This is the fifth straight match she has come up with double-digit kills, and her nine digs were just one short of securing her fourth double-double of the season.
- Buse Hazan recorded double-digit kills for the second straight match in her second straight start.
- Drew Wright recorded a team-high three aces in the loss. It was her fifth match of the season with three aces.
- Wright also racked up nine digs to tie for the team lead. That was a season-high for the junior and fell just one shy of her career high, set last year at Michigan.

Up Next

The 'Cats will continue Big Ten play on the road, facing Nebraska next Friday at 6 p.m. CT, then visiting Indiana on Sunday at noon CT. All of the action will be streamed on B1G+.