Oct. 29, 2008
2008 Northwestern Volleyball Statistics 
MADISON, Wis. -- Historically, Wisconsin Field House has not been kind to Northwestern, and Wednesday night was no different as the 25th-ranked Badgers took a three-set victory over the Wildcats (25-20, 25-19, 25-21). NU drops to 7-15 on the year and 1-10 on the season while Wisconsin improves to 15-8 and 5-6 in conference action.
Wisconsin had the early momentum in the first set, using a pair of big blocks to open up a four-point advantage at 15-11. Northwestern was able to rally back and tie the set at 19, but a 6-1 Badger run capped off the 25-20 first set victory. Sophomore Brittani Gray (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) posted four kills on eight attempts, with sophomore Naomi Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) adding three of her own. Sophomore Elyse Glab (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection) dished out 12 assists, becoming just the ninth player in the program's history to eclipse the 2,000 assist mark, while junior Kate Nobilio (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) registered eight digs.
The two teams traded points throughout the opening portion of the second set before Wisconsin built a three-point cushion at 15-12. The Wildcats were able to keep it close, getting to within a point at 16-15, but were unable to get over the hump as the Badgers closed out the set on a 9-4 run to take a commanding two sets to none lead with a 25-19 victory. Gray and senior Chelsy Hyser (Belvidere, Ill./Belvidere) had a pair of kills each as NU could only tally seven kills in the set. Hyser was able to add a pair of blocks, as did freshman Madalyn Shalter (Ottawa, Ohio/Ottawa-Glandorf).
Wisconsin took control of the third set early, using a pair of service aces and a couple Wildcat errors to build a 12-7 advantage. The Badgers continued the attack, building the lead to as many as eight at 19-11. Northwestern attempted a late rally, but it was too little too late as Wisconsin closes out the match with a 25-21 third set victory. The Badgers' Brittney Dolgner finished with 11 kills on the night, with Elle Ohlander adding nine kills and four blocks.
For the Wildcats, it was Gray that sparked the offensive charge, tying a match-high with 11 kills. Shalter added six of her own while Hyser, Moffett, Johnson and junior Ariel Baxterbeck (Menlo Park, Calif./Castilleja) each finished with four for Northwestern. Shalter added four blocks for the `Cats with Hyser adding three, Glab dished out 21 assists and Nobilio finished with 13 digs defensively.
Northwestern gets a few days off before returning to the court at Welsh-Ryan Arena Saturday, Nov. 1, to face Michigan State. The Spartans rallied to take a five-set victory over the Wildcats in East Lansing, Mich., back on Oct. 10. Opening serve is set for 7 p.m.