Nov. 19, 2010
No. 7 Penn State 3, No. 25 Northwestern 0
Site: Rec Hall University Park, Pa.
Records: Northwestern (18-10, 8-9 Big Ten)
Up Next: at Ohio State Saturday, Nov. 20 6 pm. CT
Box Score
Northwestern at Penn State Box Score 
2010 Northwestern Volleyball Statistics
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Playing in arguably the toughest road venue in the Big Ten, 25th-ranked Northwestern held its own against seventh-ranked Penn State, but the three-time defending national champions proved to be too much, sweeping the Wildcats 25-20, 25-19, 25-20 at Rec Hall.
Naomi Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) led the Northwestern offensive attack with nine kills while also adding four blocks, with Stephanie Holthus (Burlington, Ill./Central) adding seven kills and eight blocks for the Wildcats. Madalyn Shalter (Ottawa, Ohio/Ottawa-Glandorf) and Sabel Moffett (Temecula, Calif./Chapparal) each added five kills with Moffett recording a match-best seven blocks, moving her into sole possession of fourth-place in all-time blocks at Northwestern.
Elyse Glab (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection) dished out 22 assists for the Wildcats with five blocks and eight digs, tying Holthus for second-best on the team. Alex Ayers (Playa del Rey, Calif./Marymount) and Julie Chin (Naperville, Ill./North) both recorded nine digs on the evening to pace the Wildcats.
With Friday night's match serving as senior night at Rec Hall, seventh-ranked Penn State was determined to send their seniors out on a winning note, racing out to an early 11-7 advantage in the opening set. The Nittany Lions would lead by as many as five at 17-12 before an 8-3 Northwestern run pulled the Wildcats to within a point at 21-20. But Penn State would not relinquish the lead, going wire-to-wire with a 4-0 run to take the opener 25-20.
After exchanging points early in set two, the Nittany Lions strung together a 10-5 run to take control at 15-10. Penn State would extend that lead to eight at 24-16, then fought off a late Northwestern rally to earn the 25-19 decision and take a commanding 2-0 match lead into the intermission.
Set three would prove to be the most competitive of the night as Northwestern and Penn State combined for seven ties in the early stages. The Wildcats built their biggest lead of the night at 9-6 early in the third, but the Nittany Lions rallied back to tie the set at 12. Penn State then took the lead and never looked back, building a five-point cushion at 19-14 before cruising to the sweep with the 25-20 victory.
Northwestern now prepares for its final road match of the regular season, traveling to Columbus, Ohio, to take on the Buckeyes Saturday night. Ohio State rallied to win a thrilling five-set decision against Northwestern on Oct. 22 as the Wildcats head to St. John Arena looking to snap a five-match skid against the Buckeyes. Opening serve is set for 6 p.m. CT.
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