’Cats Battle With No. 7 Penn State in Welsh-Ryan Arena Opener

Friday, November 9

Evanston, Ill. (Welsh-Ryan Arena)

7 p.m.

Northwestern

14-13, 4-11Big Ten

Penn State

20-5, 11-4Big Ten

Penn State

Northwestern

’Cats Battle With No. 7 Penn State in Welsh-Ryan Arena Opener

11/9/2018 9:02:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)Big Ten Season Stats (PDF)

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern hosted No. 7 Penn State for the first volleyball match at the new Welsh-Ryan Arena on Friday night in front of a packed crowd of more than 2,200 fans.

Friday marked the Wildcats' first match at the venue since 2016, after the arena underwent extensive renovations in order to deliver a world-class experience for student-athletes and fans alike. The Wildcats battled with Penn State throughout the night, but ultimately fell in straight sets.

Northwestern will be back in action at the new Welsh-Ryan Arena on Saturday night to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 7 p.m.

TEAM NOTES:

First-year Ella Grbac recorded the first point at the new Welsh-Ryan Arena with a kill to put the Wildcats up, 1-0, in the first set.
Northwestern had 35 kills, 35 assists, and 38 digs.
Led by Abryanna Cannon's three blocks, the 'Cats out blocked Penn State, six to five ... Cannon's three blocks are tied for the second most she has had in a conference game this season.
Northwestern's paid attendance was 2,296 … Marks their highest attendance for a home match since at least 2014.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

Sophomore Nia Robinson finished with a match-high 12 kills, her 19th game this season with double-digit kills.
Cannon finished with seven kills and seven digs, her second-most in a conference match this season and most since September 28 vs. Nebraska … She also finished with three total blocks, her third-straight match notching at least three blocks.
First-year Kiara McNulty finished with a team-high 33 assists along with eight digs, a block and an ace … Has at least 30 assists in three-straight matches for the second time this season (last, August 24-25).
Sophomore Alana Walker led the team with a .385 clip … She also finished the night with six kills and a block.
Grbac finished with 10 kills while hitting for a .292 clip, marks her second-straight match with at least 10 kills with a hitting percentage of at least .290.

MATCH NOTES:

S1 | Cannon and Robinson attacked the net with five and six kills respectively in the first set, however the 'Cats fall 25-21.
S2 | Robinson led all players hitting at .467 clip through the second set (min 5 attempts). Penn State took the set 25-20
S3 | Robinson led the 'Cats with four kills in the third set. The 'Cats fought but fell, 25-19.

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