Wildcats Head Out West to Open 2021 Season

Greeley, Colo. – Northwestern Volleyball is set to kick off its 2021 fall season with a trio of matchups in Colorado.

The Wildcats will first head to Bank of Colorado Arena for a pair of matchups against South Dakota and the hosts, Northern Colorado, on Friday. This marks the Wildcats first-ever meeting against Northern Colorado, as well as their first meeting vs. Colorado State since 2000. The Wildcats faced off against South Dakota to open their 2018 season and picked up a victory in four sets.

In a shortened season last year, the Wildcats posted a 4-6 record against a staunch All-Big Ten schedule. Entering his sixth season at the helm of Northwestern Volleyball, head coach Shane Davis boasts a career .750 winning percentage (36-12) vs. non-conference opponents, including a 29-7 in their last three seasons that included non-conference competition.

Headlining the returners for the Wildcats this season is junior Temi Thomas-Ailara, who was named to the Big Ten's Preseason All-Big Ten team earlier this week. Thomas-Ailara led the Wildcats last season with 175.5 points (4.39/set), 154 kills (3.85/set).

Also returning for the Wildcats is senior libero, Megan Miller, who led the Wildcats with 118 digs (2.95/set) last year in her first season after transferring to NU. Bolstering the front lines for the 'Cats is junior Desiree Becker–who finished second on the team last season averaging 0.78 blocks per set to go along with a team-best .300 hitting percentage–along with outside hitters, Ella Grbac, Abryanna Cannon and Hanna Lesiak, as well as sophomore setter, Alexa Rousseau.

Wildcat fans can follow along with Friday's season opener vs South Dakota via an on-site live stats link, while the 'Cats evening matchup at Northern Colorado will be streamed on ESPN+. Saturday's matinee at Colorado State can be streamed on the Mountain West Network.