Aug. 30, 2006
Northwestern's Clarion Classic Notes in PDF Format
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern began the 2006 season Tuesday night with a sweep of Illinois-Chicago at Welsh-Ryan Arena, and now kicks off its nonconference tournament slate at the Western Michigan Clarion Classic Sept. 1-2.
UPDATE: Due to Tropical Storm Ernesto, Charleston Southern is unable to arrive in Kalamazoo, Mich., in time for Friday night's match against Northwestern, so that match has been canceled.
The Wildcats will play just two matches in the tourney, facing IUPUI and the host Broncos in the first of three nonconference tournaments on the 2006 schedule. Northwestern plays IUPUI at 11 a.m. and WMU at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2.
In the Wildcats' season-opener, Stephanie Jurivich (LaGrange, Ill./St. Ignatius) had a breakout performance as setter after splittling time at the position last season. The junior offered up a career-best 34 assists to go along with an error-free night on the attack for a career-best .688 hitting percentage (11-0-16). Classmate Courtnie Paulus (Belgium, Wis./Ozaukee) also notched a career-best Tuesday night with seven blocks in the match. Freshman Kate Nobilio (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) registered 15 digs as the libero in her first collegiate match and start.
At the Clarion Classic, Northwestern will be facing IUPUI for the first time in program history. The Wildcats and the Broncos are tied in their all-time series, 5-5. Northwestern won the last meeting between the teams, 3-1, on Sept. 3, 1997.
Following the Clarion Classic, the Wildcats head to beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii, for the Waikiki Beach Marriott Challenge Sept. 7-9. Northwestern will face a pair of top-10 ranked opponents in Stanford and the host Wahine while in the islands. Then, NU returns home to Welsh-Ryan Arena to host its own Wildcat Classic Sept. 15-16. Another ranked opponent, 2005 NCAA quarterfinalist Arizona, will participate in NU's home event.
For Northwestern's complete Clarion Classic game notes, click on the .pdf link at the top of this page.