Sept. 15, 2010
29th Annual Wildcat Classic
Welsh-Ryan Arena Evanston, Ill.
Northwestern (7-1) vs. Charlotte (8-3)
Friday, Sept. 17 7 p.m.
Northwestern (7-1) vs. Harvard (2-6)
Saturday, Sept. 18 Noon
Northwestern (7-1) vs. Marquette (5-4)
Saturday, Sept. 18 7 p.m.
Gametracker: NUsports.com
In-Match Twitter Updates: @NU_SportsLIVE
Northwestern Wildcat Classic Match Notes (PDF)
29th Annual Wildcat Classic Tournament Central
Opening Serve
After a successful trip to the Buckeye state, Northwestern returns home to Evanston for its final preseason tournament of the year, hosting the 29th annual Wildcat Classic at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats open up the weekend hosting Charlotte at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 before a Saturday double-header against Harvard (noon) and Marquette (7 p.m.).
Scouting the 49ers
2010: 8-3, 0-0 Atlantic 10.
Last Week: W vs. William & Mary (3-0), W vs. North Carolina A&T (3-0), W vs. Alabama A&M (3-0), W vs. Elon (3-0).
Head Coach: Chris Redding (SUNY-Cortland, 1990). Fourth season at Charlotte (50-50, .500); Eighth season overall (93-129, .419).
Key Players: Bianca Rouse (So., OH): 130 kills, .203 hitting pct., 27 total blocks; Jenna Litoborski (So., OH): 90 kills, .208 hitting pct., 9 service aces; Kara Raker (Sr., MB): 81 kills, .347 hitting pct., 34 total blocks.
Scouting the Crimson
2010: 2-6 overall, 0-0 Ivy League.
Last Week: L at Fordham (0-3), W vs. Rider (3-1), L vs. Stony Brook (1-3), L vs. Syracuse (0-3), L at Holy Cross (0-3).
Head Coach: Jennifer Weiss (Bentley College, 1988). 17th season at Harvard (211-241, .467).
Key Players: Taylor Docter (So., OH): 69 kills, 73 digs, 12 total blocks; Sandra Fryhofer (Jr., MB): 54 kills, .215 hitting pct., 26 total blocks; Teresa Skelly (Fr., MB): 51 kills, .349 hitting pct., 27 total blocks.
Scouting the Golden Eagles
2010: 5-4 overall, 0-0 Big East.
Last Week: L vs. Creighton (0-3), W vs. Milwaukee (3-0), W vs. Toledo (3-1).
Head Coach: Bond Shymansky (Iowa, 1995). Second season at Marquette (23-16, .604); Ninth season overall (195-82, .706).
Key Players: Ashley Beyer (Jr., OH): 116 kills, eight service aces, 10 total blocks; Rabbecka Gonyo (Sr., MB): 98 kills, .466 hitting pct., 28 total blocks; Ciara Jones (Jr., OH): 97 kills, .260 hitting pct., 13 total blocks.
Series Information
Northwestern has posted a 4-0 all-time record against this weekend's Wildcat Classic participants, led by a 2-0 mark against Charlotte. The Wildcats took a 3-0 decision in 2002 before earning a 3-1 victory last season in Charlotte. Northwestern is 1-0 all-time against Harvard, defeating the Crimson 3-1 in 2002, and is also 1-0 against Marquette after sweeping the Eagles 3-0 in 1996.
Wildcats Receive Votes in AVCA Coaches Top-25 Poll
Following its impressive weekend at the Ohio Baymont Inn Suites Invitational, Northwestern received 14 votes in the weekly AVCA Coaches Top-25 poll, released Monday. It marks the first time since 2005 that the Wildcats have been listed on the poll and are one of eight Big Ten schools to be either ranked among the top 25 or receiving votes.
2010 Northwestern Viewbook Now Available Online
The 2010 Northwestern volleyball viewbook is now available to view online on the sidebar of the volleyball homepage at NUsports.com. This viewbook replaces the traditional printed media guide and gives insight into the Wildcats' 2010 volleyball season, including links to coach and player bios as well as the 2010 Northwestern record book and almanac, which is also available online.
Registration Now Taking Place For 2010 `Cats Clinic
The Wildcats are providing an opportunity for all area girls in eighth-grade and under to join them as they host their first-ever in-season skills clinic on Monday, Sept. 20, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Various drills will be demonstrated in an effort to teach fundamental volleyball skills. The clinic will last approximately 90 minutes, followed by a pizza dinner. Cost of the clinic is $15 and includes a t-shirt, water bottle, Sports Authority coupons and three vouchers for admission to future Wildcat volleyball matches. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept 15, and pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, call (847) 467-6862 or email wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
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