Northwestern
4-15,2-9Big Ten
Illinois
15-6,7-4Big Ten
'Cats Fall in Four Sets to Illinois
11/1/2024 9:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern volleyball jumped out to a 1-0 lead, but couldn't hold on and fell in four sets (25-22, 17-25, 13-25, 19-25) to Illinois on Friday at home in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
The loss dropped Northwestern's record to 4-15 overall and 2-9 in Big Ten action.
Rylen Reid finished with ten kills to lead the attack, the second time she's achieved double-digit kills this season and the third time that she has led the team. Alexa Rousseau posted her tenth double-double of the year with 13 digs and 17 assists, while also chipping in nine kills and three blocks. Kennedy Hill was strong on defense as she racked up five blocks, while also recording the first ace of her career in the first set.
How It Happened
SET 1 | Strong serving helped the Wildcats earn a set-one victory 25-22. Northwestern notched five aces in the set victory. The Wildcats opened up a 22-17 lead in the stanza and coasted to victory from there.
SET 2 | Northwestern then dropped set two 25-17, tying the match at a set apiece. Northwestern trailed by as many as 10 points as Illinois grabbed the advantage for good at 7-6 in a set that was tied up two times before the Fighting Illini took over the lead.
SET 3 | Northwestern fell again in the third set to make it a 2-1 deficit. The Wildcats lost the first point and never took the lead before losing the set 25-13.
SET 4 | Northwestern lost the fourth set and the match, falling 25-19. The Wildcats trailed by as many as seven points as Illinois grabbed the advantage for good at 12-11 and Northwestern wasn't able to recover in a set that was knotted up five times before the Fighting Illini took over.
Game Notes
» Rylen Reid posted double-digit kills for the first time since Sept. 14 at Notre Dame, and led the 'Cats in that category for the third time in her career.
» Northwestern served up five aces on the way to a first-set victory.
» Northwestern got a team-high 13 digs from Alexa Rousseau, who also led the team with 17 assists for her tenth double-double of the season. She fell just shy of her second triple-double of 2024 with nine kills on the evening.
» Kennedy Hill led the Wildcats with five blocks to go along with two kills, an assist, and the first ace of her career.
» Siena Noordermeer saw her first game action since 10/23 at Minnesota and was solid for Northwestern, serving the first ace of her season to go along with six digs and eight assists.
Up Next
The Wildcats continue their homestand with a battle against No. 2 Nebraska inside a sold-out Welsh Ryan Arena on Sunday afternoon. First serve between the 'Cats and Cornhuskers is set for 12 p.m. CT on B1G+.
