Aug. 30, 2003
ATLANTA, Ga. - Northwestern and Coastal Carolina met for the first time today, Aug. 30, at the Georgia Tech Courtyard by Marriott Classic in Atlanta. After dropping their first two matches of the tournament, the Wildcats looked tough against the Chanticleers and earned a 3-0 (30-17, 30-18, 30-22) victory.
Junior outside hitter Jill Buschur (New Bremen, Ohio/New Bremen), who had a career match earlier in the day against Alabama, continued her success, as she recorded a team-high 13 kills, eight digs and two service aces. Middle blocker Erika Lange (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) added 12 kills and seven block assists, while Iwona Lodzik had 11 kills, four service aces and four digs for the Wildcats. Junior setter Drew Robertson led the team in assists with 42 and also tallied six kills and nine digs.
In the first game of the match, the Wildcats took a 3-0 lead to start the game and would never give up their lead. The Chanticleers fought back and cut the Northwestern lead to one, but it would not be enough as the 'Cats went on a 5-1 run and led 15-11 at the midway point. NU only allowed Coastal Carolina to score six additional points, as they defeated the Chanticleers by a score of 30-17.
The Wildcats' success continued in the second game. Coastal Carolina kept the score close early, but NU began to pull away and led 15-9 halfway into the game. The Chanticleers cut the Wildcats' lead to three, but Northwestern went on a 7-0 run to take a 24-14 lead. The 'Cats allowed Coastal just four more points, defeating the Chanticleers, 30-18.
Northwestern completed the sweep of Coastal Carolina in game three. The Wildcats and Chanticleers battled early in the third game of the match, but NU went on a 6-1 run and led 15-9 at the midpoint of the game. Coastal cut the lead to five late in the game, but could not hang on, as the 'Cats won 30-22.
The Wildcats improve to 1-2 on the season with the victory against the Chanticleers. Northwestern will return to action next Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5-6, when the team will take on Loyola, Ole Miss and Illinois-Chicago at the Chicago Challenge.