EVANSTON, Ill. (November 4, 2023) – Before venturing out on the road for four straight matches, Northwestern (11-12, 5-8 B1G) is back at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday to entertain Minnesota for Alumnae Day. First serve between the Wildcats and Golden Gophers is scheduled for 1 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
Averie Hernandez and Julia Sangiacomo both reached double figures in kills as Northwestern dropped three razor-thin decisions to Illinois in a 3-0 setback this past Wednesday inside Huff Hall.
Hernandez paced the 'Cats with 12 kills, her ninth time in double figures across Northwestern's last 11 matches. Sangiacomo chipped in 10 kills, hitting the 10-kill mark for the 14th time in 2023, while Kennedy Hill hit .500 (6-1-10) as she put up six kills.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Currently receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Taraflex Coaches Poll, Minnesota (11-10, 7-6 B1G) arrives in Evanston following a 3-1 win over Ohio State on Friday night in Columbus, Ohio.
Head coach Keegan Cook, who is in his first year at Minnesota, boasts a trio of prominent attacking threats in Mckenna Wucherer (3.26 k/s), Taylor Landfair (2.95 k/s), and Lydia Grote (2.66 k/s). Defensively, Phoebe Awoleye averages a team-high 1.27 blocks per set, while Kylie Murr leads the Golden Gophers in digs (4.11 d/s).
SERIES STUFF
Sunday's matinee marks the 85th meeting between Northwestern and Minnesota in volleyball. The Golden Gophers have won 14 of the last 15 matchups to extend their lead in the all-time series to 64-20 (.762).
Northwestern gave then No. 24 Minnesota all it could handle when the two teams met at Maturi Pavilion, dropping a five-set decision, 3-2, on October 15. Sangiacomo pounded out a match-high 24 kills for the 'Cats. Hernandez also cracked the 10-kill mark, adding 14 kills of her own.
UP NEXT
Northwestern begins a four-match road trip on Wednesday, November 8 against No. 1 Nebraska. First serve from inside the Devaney Center is set for 7 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
Averie Hernandez and Julia Sangiacomo both reached double figures in kills as Northwestern dropped three razor-thin decisions to Illinois in a 3-0 setback this past Wednesday inside Huff Hall.
Hernandez paced the 'Cats with 12 kills, her ninth time in double figures across Northwestern's last 11 matches. Sangiacomo chipped in 10 kills, hitting the 10-kill mark for the 14th time in 2023, while Kennedy Hill hit .500 (6-1-10) as she put up six kills.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Currently receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Taraflex Coaches Poll, Minnesota (11-10, 7-6 B1G) arrives in Evanston following a 3-1 win over Ohio State on Friday night in Columbus, Ohio.
Head coach Keegan Cook, who is in his first year at Minnesota, boasts a trio of prominent attacking threats in Mckenna Wucherer (3.26 k/s), Taylor Landfair (2.95 k/s), and Lydia Grote (2.66 k/s). Defensively, Phoebe Awoleye averages a team-high 1.27 blocks per set, while Kylie Murr leads the Golden Gophers in digs (4.11 d/s).
SERIES STUFF
Sunday's matinee marks the 85th meeting between Northwestern and Minnesota in volleyball. The Golden Gophers have won 14 of the last 15 matchups to extend their lead in the all-time series to 64-20 (.762).
Northwestern gave then No. 24 Minnesota all it could handle when the two teams met at Maturi Pavilion, dropping a five-set decision, 3-2, on October 15. Sangiacomo pounded out a match-high 24 kills for the 'Cats. Hernandez also cracked the 10-kill mark, adding 14 kills of her own.
UP NEXT
Northwestern begins a four-match road trip on Wednesday, November 8 against No. 1 Nebraska. First serve from inside the Devaney Center is set for 7 p.m.