Friday, September 25
Piscataway, N.J.
6 p.m. CT
Northwestern
9-3, 1-0Big Ten
3
at
0
Rutgers
3-10, 0-1Big Ten
1
2
3
F
Northwestern
25
25
25
3
Rutgers
23
15
20
0
Team Stats
NU
RU
Kills
46
33
Errors
15
13
Attempts
103
98
Hitting %
.301
.204
Points
62.0
42.0
Assists
40
27
Aces
6
2
Blocks
10.0
7.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
Northwestern Opens Big Ten Play with Sweep of Rutgers
9/25/2015 7:49:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – The Northwestern volleyball team made quick work of Rutgers in the Big Ten opener Friday night in New Brunswick, N.J., sweeping the Scarlet Knights on their home floor.
The Wildcats (9-3, 1-0) won their conference opener for the second straight year after beating Rutgers 3-0 to kick off Big Ten play in 2014 as well.
Maddie Slater ended things at College Ave. Gym with a kill that gave her a match-high 11. Sofia Lavin added 10 and both players hit over .350 to aid the Northwestern attack. The Wildcats hit .301 as a team, the seventh time they have reached the .300 mark this season.
Taylor Tashima handed out a match-high 32 assists, and Caroline Niedospial added 17 digs for Chicago's Big Ten Team, as each continues to rank among the best in the Big Ten at their respective positions.
Northwestern opened the match on a 7-2 run and fought off a Rutgers' comeback to win the first set 25-23. The Wildcats opened up a big lead midway through the second game thanks to a seven-point run that gave them a 21-13 lead and helped put the set away. The third and final set was back-and-forth until, with the match tied 15-all, a 7-1 run gave Northwestern all the room it would need to finish the night off.
The Wildcats received strong efforts all over the court Friday night. Katie Kniep was effective during her turn in the rotation, tallying four digs and two aces, while Gabrielle Hazen notched six kills in just nine attempts to go with five blocks. Abbie Kraus has now served an ace in four consecutive matches.
Northwestern is right back at it tomorrow, traveling to College Park, Md. for a 6 p.m. match against the Terrapins. The Wildcats and Maryland split the season series last year. The match will be available to stream on BTN Plus.
The Wildcats (9-3, 1-0) won their conference opener for the second straight year after beating Rutgers 3-0 to kick off Big Ten play in 2014 as well.
Maddie Slater ended things at College Ave. Gym with a kill that gave her a match-high 11. Sofia Lavin added 10 and both players hit over .350 to aid the Northwestern attack. The Wildcats hit .301 as a team, the seventh time they have reached the .300 mark this season.
Taylor Tashima handed out a match-high 32 assists, and Caroline Niedospial added 17 digs for Chicago's Big Ten Team, as each continues to rank among the best in the Big Ten at their respective positions.
Northwestern opened the match on a 7-2 run and fought off a Rutgers' comeback to win the first set 25-23. The Wildcats opened up a big lead midway through the second game thanks to a seven-point run that gave them a 21-13 lead and helped put the set away. The third and final set was back-and-forth until, with the match tied 15-all, a 7-1 run gave Northwestern all the room it would need to finish the night off.
The Wildcats received strong efforts all over the court Friday night. Katie Kniep was effective during her turn in the rotation, tallying four digs and two aces, while Gabrielle Hazen notched six kills in just nine attempts to go with five blocks. Abbie Kraus has now served an ace in four consecutive matches.
Northwestern is right back at it tomorrow, traveling to College Park, Md. for a 6 p.m. match against the Terrapins. The Wildcats and Maryland split the season series last year. The match will be available to stream on BTN Plus.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To interact directly with the #B1GCats, visit our Social Media page!Volleyball - 'Cats Defeat Valparaiso in Home Opener Reverse Sweep (9/9/2025)
Wednesday, September 10
Volleyball - Tim Nollan, Sienna Noordemeer, and Ayah Elnady at Big Ten Media Days (7/28/25)
Monday, July 28
Volleyball - 'Cats Down Hawkeyes 3-1 To Secure Season Sweep (11/10/24)
Monday, November 11
Volleyball - 'Cats Take Down Hawkeyes at Home (10/16/24)
Thursday, October 17
