Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, November 21
Columbus, Ohio
5 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Ohio State
Photo by: Michelle Nartey/Northwestern Athletics
'Cats Visit Ohio State and No. 11 Purdue on Weekend Roadtrip
11/20/2025 3:39:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Northwestern volleyball will continue Big Ten play on the road as they take on Ohio State and No. 11 Purdue this weekend. The 'Cats will face the Buckeyes on Friday night at 5 p.m. CT, then battle the Boilermakers on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
The Wildcats (15-13, 5-11 Big Ten) will look to get back in the win column after dropping two closely contested, five-set matches against Iowa and Washington last week. Lauren Carter was impressive against both opponents, collecting her fifth and sixth double-doubles of the season with 60 total assists and 20 digs between the two contests. The senior also finished with three aces in a both games, marking her fifth and sixth three-ace games of the year. With 41 on the season, Carter is now the first Wildcat to record a 40+ ace season since Lindsay Anderson in 2007.
The 'Cats got offense from several sources last weekend, including Rylen Reid, who led the attack against Washington and finished with a match-high 18 kills. Against Iowa, Ayah Elnady recorded her first 20-kill match as a Wildcat to lead the team, and Campbell Paris nearly matched her with a career-high 19 kills. As a team, the 'Cats' 68 kills against Iowa were their most against a conference opponent this season.
Northwestern's middle blockers also had a memorable weekend; Bella Simkus set a career high with nine blocks against Iowa, then Kayla Kauffman put up seven blocks against Washington a few days later. With six seven-block matches and 80 total blocks this season, Kauffman has recorded more blocks than any Wildcat first-year since 2004, when Brittney Aldridge collected 98.
First up this weekend, the 'Cats will head to Columbus, Ohio to take on Ohio State (5-19, 2-14 Big Ten). The Buckeyes are coming off a close loss to Penn State in which they took the No. 24 Nittany Lions to five sets. Ohio State has had Northwestern's number recently, and the 'Cats will look to pick up their first win against the Buckeyes since 2019 on Friday.
Then, on Sunday afternoon, Northwestern will battle against No. 11 Purdue (22-4, 13-3 Big Ten) on Big Ten Network. The Boilermakers were on a nine-game winning streak before dropping their most recent match to Oregon in five sets. Purdue will lean on their offensive weapons including Kenna Wollard, who is currently ranked second in the conference in total kills with 456 this season. Grace Heaney currently sits at 11th with 332 kills. The Boilermakers are also strong on the defensive side of the ball, leading the Big Ten in solo blocks (59).
Following these contests, the Wildcats will return to Evanston for their final home match of the season against Wisconsin on November 26th. First serve on Senior Night is set for 7 p.m. CT, and action will be streamed on B1G+
The Wildcats (15-13, 5-11 Big Ten) will look to get back in the win column after dropping two closely contested, five-set matches against Iowa and Washington last week. Lauren Carter was impressive against both opponents, collecting her fifth and sixth double-doubles of the season with 60 total assists and 20 digs between the two contests. The senior also finished with three aces in a both games, marking her fifth and sixth three-ace games of the year. With 41 on the season, Carter is now the first Wildcat to record a 40+ ace season since Lindsay Anderson in 2007.
The 'Cats got offense from several sources last weekend, including Rylen Reid, who led the attack against Washington and finished with a match-high 18 kills. Against Iowa, Ayah Elnady recorded her first 20-kill match as a Wildcat to lead the team, and Campbell Paris nearly matched her with a career-high 19 kills. As a team, the 'Cats' 68 kills against Iowa were their most against a conference opponent this season.
Northwestern's middle blockers also had a memorable weekend; Bella Simkus set a career high with nine blocks against Iowa, then Kayla Kauffman put up seven blocks against Washington a few days later. With six seven-block matches and 80 total blocks this season, Kauffman has recorded more blocks than any Wildcat first-year since 2004, when Brittney Aldridge collected 98.
First up this weekend, the 'Cats will head to Columbus, Ohio to take on Ohio State (5-19, 2-14 Big Ten). The Buckeyes are coming off a close loss to Penn State in which they took the No. 24 Nittany Lions to five sets. Ohio State has had Northwestern's number recently, and the 'Cats will look to pick up their first win against the Buckeyes since 2019 on Friday.
Then, on Sunday afternoon, Northwestern will battle against No. 11 Purdue (22-4, 13-3 Big Ten) on Big Ten Network. The Boilermakers were on a nine-game winning streak before dropping their most recent match to Oregon in five sets. Purdue will lean on their offensive weapons including Kenna Wollard, who is currently ranked second in the conference in total kills with 456 this season. Grace Heaney currently sits at 11th with 332 kills. The Boilermakers are also strong on the defensive side of the ball, leading the Big Ten in solo blocks (59).
Following these contests, the Wildcats will return to Evanston for their final home match of the season against Wisconsin on November 26th. First serve on Senior Night is set for 7 p.m. CT, and action will be streamed on B1G+
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's VolleyballVolleyball - 'Cats Defeat Iowa on Rylen Reid's 27-Kill Night (10/31/25)
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