EVANSTON, Ill. (October 20, 2023) – After opening a two-match homestand earlier in the week, Northwestern (9-10, 3-6 B1G) returns to action on Saturday night when it hosts Michigan. First serve between the Wildcats and Wolverines is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
LAST TIME OUT
Averie Hernandez reached double figures in kills for the sixth time in seven matches, but No. 2 Nebraska hit .395 (45-11-86) as it dealt Northwestern a 3-0 defeat on Wednesday evening in Evanston.
Hernandez led the 'Cats with 11 kills, while Leilani Dodson posted a team-high four blocks, in addition to five kills. Alexa Rousseau dished out 21 assists to fuel the Northwestern attack.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Michigan enters Saturday's matchup with the Wildcats at 3-15 overall and 1-8 in Big Ten Conference play. The Wolverines dropped a 3-1 decision to in-state rival Michigan State this past Wednesday at the Breslin Center.
Kendall Murray, who put up a team-high 13 kills when the Wolverines and Wildcats met earlier this season, leads the charge for first-year head coach Erin Virtue's team, averaging a team-best 2.46 kills per set. Jacque Boney adds 2.30 kills per set, while Valentina Vaulet has impressed from the service line, putting up a team-best 20 service aces (0.36 a/s) this season, with six of those coming against Northwestern.
SERIES STUFF
Michigan has won each of its last six meetings against Northwestern to build a 50-29 (.633) advantage in the all-time series.
When the two teams clashed back on October 6 inside the Crisler Center, Julia Sangiacomo (16) and Hernandez (10) both reached double figures in kills, but Northwestern hit just .117 (42-24-154) as it dropped a 3-1 decision to the Wolverines.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to the road next week, traveling to Columbus, Ohio to battle Ohio State on Wednesday, October 25 inside the Covelli Center. First serve is set for 5 p.m. (CT) in a matchup that will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
LAST TIME OUT
Averie Hernandez reached double figures in kills for the sixth time in seven matches, but No. 2 Nebraska hit .395 (45-11-86) as it dealt Northwestern a 3-0 defeat on Wednesday evening in Evanston.
Hernandez led the 'Cats with 11 kills, while Leilani Dodson posted a team-high four blocks, in addition to five kills. Alexa Rousseau dished out 21 assists to fuel the Northwestern attack.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Michigan enters Saturday's matchup with the Wildcats at 3-15 overall and 1-8 in Big Ten Conference play. The Wolverines dropped a 3-1 decision to in-state rival Michigan State this past Wednesday at the Breslin Center.
Kendall Murray, who put up a team-high 13 kills when the Wolverines and Wildcats met earlier this season, leads the charge for first-year head coach Erin Virtue's team, averaging a team-best 2.46 kills per set. Jacque Boney adds 2.30 kills per set, while Valentina Vaulet has impressed from the service line, putting up a team-best 20 service aces (0.36 a/s) this season, with six of those coming against Northwestern.
SERIES STUFF
Michigan has won each of its last six meetings against Northwestern to build a 50-29 (.633) advantage in the all-time series.
When the two teams clashed back on October 6 inside the Crisler Center, Julia Sangiacomo (16) and Hernandez (10) both reached double figures in kills, but Northwestern hit just .117 (42-24-154) as it dropped a 3-1 decision to the Wolverines.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to the road next week, traveling to Columbus, Ohio to battle Ohio State on Wednesday, October 25 inside the Covelli Center. First serve is set for 5 p.m. (CT) in a matchup that will be televised live on Big Ten Network.