Friday, November 8
Evanston, Ill.
6 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Penn State
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
'Cats Conclude Homestand With No. 3 Penn State
11/7/2024 5:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern volleyball will close out their three-match homestand on Friday when they host No. 3 Penn State in Welsh-Ryan Arena. First serve between the 'Cats (4-16, 2-10 B1G) and the Nittany Lions (22-1, 12-0 B1G) is set for 6 p.m. CT on B1G+.
STORYLINES:
THE MATCH-UP:
The Wildcats are 9-59 all-time versus Penn State, and Penn State has won the last 11 straight against the Wildcats heading into Friday's match. The last time Northwestern topped the Nittany Lions was Oct. 10, 2015, in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Penn State has stayed put at No. 3 in the nation for the majority of this season, bringing a nearly-perfect 22-1 record to Evanston. The program's only loss this season came in straight sets at the hands of No. 1 Pittsburgh on Sept. 18. Since then, Penn State has beat four ranked opponents and all 12 of the Big Ten foes they've matched up with so far.
UP NEXT:
Following the conclusion of tonight's match, the 'Cats will prepare for a rematch with Iowa in Coralville, Iowa, on Sunday, after beating the Hawkeyes 3-1 on Oct. 16. That match is set to begin at 2 p.m. CT.
STORYLINES:
- Friday's match will be the Wildcats' sixth against a ranked opponent this season. They are 0-5 so far, with just one set win in ranked matchups (over Purdue on Oct. 4). However, Penn State represents Northwestern's lone win in program history over a top-five ranked opponent, as the 'Cats defeated the No. 3 Nittany Lions in 2015.
- Lauren Carter picked up her 200th career assist on Sunday against No. 3 Nebraska. With Alexa Rousseau playing a more versatile role this season, Carter has shouldered a larger portion of the setting duties. Her 147 total assists this year are more than three times her previous single-season career high, set at Denver in 2022.
- Entering play Friday, the 'Cats have combined for 170 blocks as a team on the season, with seven different players contributing ten or more. With seven blocks as a team against the Illini last Friday, Northwestern has totaled seven or more blocks in eight of their 12 Big Ten matches - all but one of which lasted four or less sets. Entering the weekend, their team 2.30 blocks-per-set clip ranked 12th in the Big Ten and 92nd in the NCAA.
THE MATCH-UP:
The Wildcats are 9-59 all-time versus Penn State, and Penn State has won the last 11 straight against the Wildcats heading into Friday's match. The last time Northwestern topped the Nittany Lions was Oct. 10, 2015, in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Penn State has stayed put at No. 3 in the nation for the majority of this season, bringing a nearly-perfect 22-1 record to Evanston. The program's only loss this season came in straight sets at the hands of No. 1 Pittsburgh on Sept. 18. Since then, Penn State has beat four ranked opponents and all 12 of the Big Ten foes they've matched up with so far.
UP NEXT:
Following the conclusion of tonight's match, the 'Cats will prepare for a rematch with Iowa in Coralville, Iowa, on Sunday, after beating the Hawkeyes 3-1 on Oct. 16. That match is set to begin at 2 p.m. CT.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's VolleyballVolleyball - 'Cats Defeat Valparaiso in Home Opener Reverse Sweep (9/9/2025)
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Monday, July 28
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Monday, November 11
Volleyball - 'Cats Take Down Hawkeyes at Home (10/16/24)
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