Nov. 14, 2009

Box Score

Northwestern at Penn State Box Score

2009 Northwestern Volleyball Statistics

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Northwestern put together an impressive showing against top-ranked and undefeated Penn State, but the two-time defending champion Nittany Lions showed why they are the top team in the country, outlasting the Wildcats 25-20, 25-14, 25-20 at Rec Hall. Northwestern remains tied for seventh in the Big Ten standings with a 5-11 conference record and is 14-14 overall.

Junior Naomi Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) led the way up front for NU, knocking down 11 kills while senior Ariel Baxterbeck (Menlo Park, Calif./Castilleja) added seven. Junior Sabel Moffett (Temecula, Calif./Chapparal) was limited to just five kills on the night, but led the Wildcats with four blocks, and sophomore Alexandra Ayers (Playa del Rey, Calif./Marymount) knocked down four kills. Junior Elyse Glab (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection) dished out 25 assists on the night.

Defensively, Baxterback added a pair of blocks to match Moffett's four, with four other 'Cats each recording a block. Baxterbeck had eight digs, which tied freshman Julie Chin (Naperville, Ill./North) for the team-high as Chin made her first collegiate start.

Penn State rolled out of the gates quickly, building a 10-3 lead on Northwestern in set one. But the Wildcats were not intimidated, matching the Nittany Lions point for point while clawing its way back to within a pair at 21-19. Unfortunately Penn State was able to quell the Northwestern upset bid, holding off the Wildcats to take the 25-20 decision.

Aided by the confidence gained in set one, it was Northwestern with the fast start in set two, pouncing out to an early 6-4 lead on the reigning champs. But fueled by a 14-4 run, Penn State gained control at 18-11 before holding off the 'Cats to take set two 25-14.

The Nittany Lions again got off to the quick start in set three, working their way to a 23-15 advantage on the Wildcats. But Northwestern wasn't about to go down without a fight, outscoring Penn State 5-0 to cut the gap to three at 23-20. Unfortunately it wasn't enough as the Nittany Lions notch the last two points for the 25-20 victory and securing their 92nd consecutive win, which is tied for second in NCAA history.

Penn State's Megan Hodge led all players with 15 kills and added three blocks whith Blair Brown contributing nine kills and four blocks and Arielle Wilson finishing with five kills and four blocks for the Nittany Lions.

Northwestern now enters the final stretch of the 2009 season, playing three of its final four matches at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats welcome border rival Wisconsin to Evanston for a 6 p.m. start on Friday, Nov. 20, for the first part of a Welsh-Ryan double header with women's basketball. Northwestern then hosts Iowa at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. The match against the Hawkeyes will be Senior Night as the Wildcats will honor Baxterbeck and Kate Nobilio (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg).

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