Sept. 25, 2009
Box Score
Northwestern vs. Penn State Box Score 
2009 Northwestern Volleyball Statistics
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern held its ground against two-time defending national champion Penn State, but were unable to pull the upset in the end, falling 19-25, 12-25, 16-25 at Welsh-Ryan Arena in its Big Ten Conference opener. The Wildcats drop to 9-4 on the year and 0-1 in conference play.
Junior Sabel Moffett (Temecula, Calif./Chapparal) again paced the NU attack, dropping nine kills on 14 attempts with just two errors for a .500 hitting percentage. Senior Ariel Baxterbeck (Menlo Park, Calif./Castilleja) and junior Brittani Gray (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) each added seven with Baxterbeck adding five digs.
Junior Naomi Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) led the 'Cats with three blocks to go along with three kills while junior Elyse Glab (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection) dished out 26 assists. Senior Kate Nobilio (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) had six digs for the Wildcats.
Northwestern came out energized against top-ranked Penn State (13-0, 1-0), stealing the early momentum and building a four-point cushion at 11-7 and again at 14-10. But a 7-1 run by the Nittany Lions put them on top at 17-15, giving PSU a lead it would never relinquish. The Wildcats were able to claw to within two at 20-18, but Penn State tallied five of the final six points to take the opening set.
Moffett and Gray each had four kills for the 'Cats, with Glad recording nine assists and sophomore Alexandra Ayers (Playa del Rey, Calif./Marymount) digging three Nittany Lion attacks.
Northwestern again matched Penn State point-for-point in set two, trailing by just a pair at 10-8. But the Nittany Lions would outscore the Wildcats 15-4 down the stretch, including an 8-1 run late to put the set out of reach.
The Wildcats once again remained within striking distance of the Nittany Lions in set three, hanging within three points at 17-14. But once again it was a late Penn State run that sealed the match, outscoring NU 8-2 to close out set three.
PSU's Megan Hodge led all players with 16 kills, complimented by 13 from Arielle Wilson and 10 from Blair Brown. Alisha Glass had 45 assists for the Nittany Lions.
Northwestern now turns its attention to Ohio State as it pursues its first Big Ten victory of the 2009 campaign. The Buckeyes are 12-2 on the year, coming off a 3-1 loss at Illinois Friday evening. Opening serve is set for 7 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena Saturday evening.