Sept. 6, 2011
Northwestern Magnolia Invitational Game Notes (PDF Format) 
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern will put its unblemished record on the line this weekend in Oxford, Miss., at the Magnolia Invitational hosted by Ole Miss. In addition to meeting two Arkansas schools (Central Arkansas and UALR) for the first times in program history, NU and Ole Miss will square off in a rematch of last year's exciting 3-1 Wildcats' victory at the Northwestern Challenge in Evanston.
Contrary to many nonconference tournaments, the Magnolia Invitational will feature two matches Friday and just one on Saturday. Northwestern begins at 11 a.m. CT Friday, Sept. 9, against Central Arkansas before taking on the host Rebels at 7 p.m. CT. On Saturday, Northwestern concludes its schedule at 10 a.m. CT versus Arkansas-Little Rock.
While all three of Northwestern opponents this weekend have below .500 records early in the season, the host Rebels especially have faced tough foes. Ole Miss fell to No. 4 Texas to start the year before also losing to perennially strong programs Pepperdine, Louisville and Wichita State.
Northwestern Off to Best Start Since 1997
Northwestern's 5-0 record to start the 2011 season is its best since it began the 1997 campaign with a 6-0 record. The more stunning number inside those victories is the fact the Wildcats have yet to drop a single set this year, winning the first 15 they have played. The last time a Northwestern team accomplished that feat was way back in 1984 when NU won its first 22 sets en route to an 8-0 beginning. The unblemished streak aside, Northwestern also had a pretty good start to the 2010 season when it began 13-1 with only a five-set loss to Utah in the fifth match of the year providing a blemish. The Wildcats went on to reach the second round of the NCAA Championship for the second time in program history.
Three Wildcats Pacing Big Ten In Big Stats Early in the Season
Three Wildcats are leading or near the top of the Big Ten in their respective specialities following two weekends of play. Stephanie Holthus has averaged 5.27 kills per set in Northwestern's 15-set romp through its opening two events, topping the next best conference rate by .49 k/s. Junior libero Julie Chin bested the 6.0 digs per set mark with a 6.22 rate on opening weekend; she finds herself still first in the conference with a 5.27 digs per set rate after five matches. In her first two tournaments as Northwestern's full-time setter, junior Madalyn Shalter recorded 12.13 assists per set, good for second in the league. As a team, Northwestern ranks second in digs and opponent's hitting percentage, third in kills and aces and fifth in assists (Shalter ranking second individually and NU fifth as a team in assists is evidence of NU's ability to stay in-system with its offense early in the year, running nearly all of its terminations through the setter).
We Were Merely Freshmen
Youth will be served for Northwestern in 2011. At the season-opening Utah Classic, four true or redshirt-freshmen saw significant action--including a trio who made a combined eight starts--to set the stage for what will be a young NU lineup this year. Second-year Wildcat Katie Dutchman made a great debut in the middle, hitting .378 (ninth-best in the Big Ten after Week One) with 19 kills on 45 swings against just two errors. She currently ranks sixth in the Big Ten in blocks per set and seventh in aces per set after two weeks of play. Yewande Akanbi has seen action in all 15 sets this year, ranking second on the team with 36 kills. In the championship match of the Chicago Challenge Saturday, Akanbi hit .500 with nine terminations. Hannah Crippen--recruited as a setter--has started all five matches on the right side. She showed tremendous potential when she hit .714 with 10 kills on 14 swings and no errors against Loyola (Chicago) on September 2. Defensive specialist Caroline Niedospial also has played in all 15 sets this year for NU.
Wildcat Volleyball Season Tickets On Sale Now!
Don't miss any of the Wildcat's 13 exciting home matches at Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2011! Season ticket prices are $80 for a Family Plan, which admits two adults and up to three children. Adult season tickets are $40 with youth season tickets costing $25. Single-game ticket prices will remain the same for the 2010 season, costing $7 for adults and $4 for youth. The Wildcats are hosting the 30th Wildcat Classic Sept. 16-17 and also have huge home Big Ten matches against four-time defending national champion Penn State (Nov. 12) and perennial volleyball powerhouse and conference newcomer Nebraska (Nov. 26). Fans can get their season tickets by visiting NUsports.com or calling the Wildcat ticket office at 1-888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775).
Registration Underway for 2011 'Cats Clinics
The Wildcats are providing an opportunity for all area girls in eighth-grade and under to join them as they host two in-season skills clinics on Monday, Sept. 12 and Oct. 24, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Various drills will be demonstrated in an effort to teach fundamental volleyball skills. The clinics will last approximately 90 minutes. Cost of the clinic is $10 and includes a water bottle and three vouchers for admission to future Wildcat volleyball matches. Pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, call (847) 467-6862 or email wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
For Northwestern's complete Magnolia Invitational Game Notes package, download the .pdf at the top of this page.
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