Nov. 2, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - Despite outblocking and outacing the opposition, Northwestern's volleyball team dropped in five games (30-21, 25-30, 30-27, 28-30, 15-9) to Indiana Friday night.
The Wildcats (8-12, 4-9 Big Ten) had a total of 16 blocks and 15 service aces, five by junior Cassie McKnight (San Marcos, Calif./San Marcos) but failed to capitalize on that advantage.
The match went back and forth, with the 'Cats taking games two and four. They couldn't take game four's momentum into game five and Indiana quickly got out to a 6-2 lead.
The Hoosiers (7-14, 4-9) were led by freshman Christina Archibald, who hit 23 kills. Teammate Nicole Hill had 14 and Monique Pritz rounded out the double-digits with 10 kills for Indiana.
For NU, freshman setter Drew Robertson (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly) had her sixth double-double match of the season, with 46 assists and 11 digs. She also chipped in with three aces.
Sophomore outside hitter Molly Kamp had a team-high 17 kills and nine digs.
The five aces by McKnight, who came into the match ranked 7th in the Big Ten in aces per game, was a career high for the junior.
Big Ten blocking leader Erika Lange (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) had nine total blocks on the night, including two solo efforts, and 11 kills.
Two reserves saw increased playing time tonight, as Erica Knavel (Elm Grove, Wis./Brookfield East) came off the bench for three service aces and Brandy Stohl (Colona, Ill./Darnall) had four kills, four assists, six digs and two blocks.
"We played hard," head coach Keylor Chan said following the match. "There was just no electricity, we didn't have that spark that we needed to win."
"I give our players credit-they fought and fought and fought to find a way, but it just didn't click. This team is undergoing a lot of the pains of maturing right now, and it's going to be tough from here on out."
NU hosts No. 25 Illinois tomorrow night at 7 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena.