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Wildcats Sweep Ohio State in Beardsley Finale

Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. — The Wildcats dominated from the start in their last match at historic Beardsley Gym, beating Ohio State in straight-sets on Sunday afternoon.

The win marks the Wildcats' third conference win in their last four matches. The #B1GCats will be back in action on Friday, November 2 as they travel to Maryland, followed by a rematch against the Buckeyes in Columbus on Sunday, November 4.

TEAM NOTES:
  • The Wildcats have won three out of their last four matches and have won-two straight Big Ten contests.
  • Today's win marks the first time the 'Cats have had back-to-back Big Ten wins since defeating both Rutgers and Maryland on the road in the 2015 season.
  • Northwestern had 37 kills, 27 assists, and 32 digs.
  • Northwestern held Ohio State to a .136 hitting percentage, while the Wildcats hit for a .258 clip.
  • The 'Cats dominated from behind the service line with seven aces to Ohio State's three… marks the second-straight game with at least seven aces.
  • Five Wildcat players finished the match with at least five kills.
  • Northwestern played 14 matches at historic Beardsley Gym dating back to the start of last season, they will play their final four matches of the season at the new Welsh-Ryan Arena … Their next home match is on Friday, November 9 vs. Penn State.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
  • Sophomore Alana Walker led the team with a .571 hitting percentage and ten kills, her second straight game with double-digit kills.
  • First-year Hanna Lesiak finished with a match-high three aces, tying her career high set on October 19 vs. Michigan State.
  • First-year Kiara McNulty had a match high 23 assists, her most since September 1 against Stephen F. Austin.
  • First-year Ella Grbac finished with eight kills, the third time in the last four matches she has notched at least eight kills (the Wildcats are 3-0 in those matches).
  • Junior Olivia Viscuso recorded six kills on 12 attempts, good for a .417 clip … Marks her highest clip of the season with at least 10 attempts since August 24 vs. New Hampshire (nine kills/.667 clip).

MATCH NOTES:
  • S1 | The 'Cats held Ohio State to a .038 hitting percentage and Walker led all players with four kills on five attempts. Northwestern closed the set out on a 6-0 run to take the first set, 25-15.
  • S2 | Four different 'Cats had multiple kills with Grbac, Viscuso, and Nia Robinson leading the way with three each en route to 25-18 victory.
  • S3 | Walker finished the set with a team-high four kills while Northwestern combined for 13 kills and hit for a .286 hitting percentage as a team in a 25-20 victory to close out the match.