'Cats Visit No. 15 Gophers on Big Ten Network

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Northwestern volleyball (4-12, 2-6 B1G) opens a two-match road stint on Wednesday in Minneapolis, where they're set to take on No. 15 Minnesota at Maturi Pavilion. The 'Cats will face a 12-6 (5-3 B1G) Gophers squad on Big Ten Network. First serve is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT.

STORYLINES:

One match after she moved up to fifth in Northwestern's career assist rankings, Alexa Rousseau recorded her 500th career kill on Sunday against UCLA. She leads the 'Cats with 358 assists this season and is second on the team in kills, with 123.
The Gophers are the third ranked team the 'Cats will face this season, joining Wisconsin and Purdue. The 'Cats are 0-3 against AVCA Top-25 teams so far, with two straight-set losses to then-No. 7 and No. 9 Wisconsin and a 3-1 loss to the No. 10 Boilermakers.
Sophia Summers recorded another ace on Sunday against UCLA, giving her at least one in each of her last three matches and nine total, which leads the team over that span. Summers had just one career service ace and no service attempts this season prior to Northwestern's match against Ohio State on Oct. 10. Her nine total now ranks fourth on the team overall this year.

THE MATCH-UP:

This will be the 84th all-time meeting between these two programs, who have faced off in all but three seasons since they first met in 1977. Minnesota leads the series 63-20 and has won each of the last two meetings - one each at home and on the road. The 'Cats last beat Minnesota in September of 2022. Northwestern upset the then-No. 7 Gophers at Maturi Pavilion in five sets. Kathryn Randorf tallied 13 kills in that match while Alexa Rousseau racked up 52 assists.

Minnesota was ranked No. 15 in the latest AVCA/Taraflex Coaches Poll after sweeping Rutgers and getting swept by No. 3 Penn State both on the road last week. The Nittany Lions are the third conference team to beat the Gophers this season, joining No. 10 Purdue (Sept. 28) and then-No. 20 USC (Oct. 5). Of Minnesota's six total losses this season, five have been to ranked teams, with the only exception being a 3-2 loss at the hands of TCU on Sept. 7.

UP NEXT:

The 'Cats will complete their road swing on Sunday in Bloomington, where they'll take on the Indiana Hoosiers at 6:30 p.m. CT. That match will also be televised on Big Ten Network.

'Cats Visit No. 15 Gophers on Big Ten Network

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Players Mentioned

Kathryn Randorf

Alexa Rousseau

Sophia Summers

Northwestern University Athletics