Sept. 27, 2011
Northwestern (9-4, 0-2 Big Ten) vs. No. 12 Purdue (13-0, 2-0 Big Ten)
Wednesday, Sept. 28
Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117)
Evanston, Ill. 7 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network (Mike Wolf and Megan Bower)
Gametracker:
In-game Twitter updates: @NU_SportsLIVE
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After dropping two matches away from home to kick-off the 2011 Big Ten slate over the weekend, Northwestern returns to the familiar confines of Welsh-Ryan Arena this week for a pair of matches against Purdue and Indiana.
Opening Serve: Over the weekend, the Northwestern Wildcats opened conference play with a two-match road trip north through Wisconsin and Minnesota. On Friday, the 'Cats dropped a tightly contested affair to the Badgers, 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-22). After an off day, Northwestern got off to a fast start at No. 9 Minnesota by winning the first set in decisive fashion, 25-12. The momentum stalled, however, and the Gophers rallied to win the next three games in order, 25-23, 25-22 and 25-17.
Stephanie Holthus continued to carry the load on offense for the Wildcats as she led the team in kills in both matches. She has registered double-digit terminations in every match this season except for one. The sophomore also contributed on defense against the Gophers, collecting 14 digs for her fifth double double of the year.
Scouting the Boilermakers:
2011: 13-0, 2-0 Big Ten
Last Week: W vs. Michigan State (3-0); W vs. No. 18 Michigan (3-0).
Head Coach: Dave Shondell (Ball State, 1981). Ninth season at Purdue (175-103) and ninth overall.
Of Note: Purdue began the season by winning 16 consecutive sets and 24 of it's first 26 overall. Through 13 matches, the Boilermakers have only dropped four sets to this point in 2011.
Scouting the Hoosiers:
2011: 8-6, 0-2 Big Ten
Last Week: L vs. No. 18 Michigan (0-3); L vs. Michigan State (1-3).
Head Coach: Sherry Dunbar (Ball State, 1992). Fifth season at Indiana (85-67) and Ninth overall (193-89).
Of Note: Last season, the Hoosiers made a deep run through the NCAA Tournament as they advanced all the way to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history. Indiana achieved another milestone last season by beating Penn State for the first time ever back on Oct. 9, 3-1.
Holthus Among Nation's Best: In addition to leading the Big Ten in kills per set (4.73) and points per set (5.38), sophomore Stephanie Holthus ranks in the top-eight in the nation in each of these statistical categories. Holthus currently ranks fifth in points per set and seventh in the country in kills per set.
With Nebraska, It's a Brand New Big Ten: With the Big Ten Conference's addition of Nebraska this season as it's 12th member, the league's volleyball went from being one of the top conferences in the nation in the sport to without question the best top-to-bottom collegiate volleyball league anywhere. The Big Ten currently finds seven of its 12 teams in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll including four in the top 10 and the top team overall this week, Illinois. All 12 Big Ten squads have won at least eight matches this season and no team possesses a record below .500.
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 their second in-season skills clinics on Monday, 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 more game notes and information, please click on the link at the top of the page.