Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
15-9,5-7Big Ten
Maryland
8-14,1-11Big Ten
'Cats Take Down Terrapins 3-1
11/2/2025 4:46:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern volleyball secured a 2-0 weekend with a victory over Maryland on Sunday afternoon, defeating the visiting Terrapins 3-1 (27-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-21) at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
The win improved the 'Cats to 15-9 on the season and 5-7 in Big Ten action, while Maryland fell to 8-14 and 1-11 in conference play.
The Wildcats offense was paced by Rylen Reid, who finished with 15 kills on the day. Bella Bullington added 14 and Ayah Elnady chipped in with 10 as part of balanced Northwestern attack. Lauren Carter finished with a double-double, coming up with 28 assists to go along with 10 digs and three service aces, while Campbell Paris logged nine kills on .450 hitting. The 'Cats blocked seven attacks as a team, led by Bella Simkus, who finished with six rejections.
How It Happened
SET 1 | Reid picked up right where she left off against Iowa, grabbing the second Northwestern point of the match off a huge kill. Paris came up with back-to-back kills to give the Wildcats a 7-6 lead, and Bullington joined the party soon thereafter with a kill of her own. The Terrapins refocused and tied the score at 12-12, then extended their run to 8-0 to take a 16-12 lead. Two straight service aces from Gigi Navarrete allowed the 'Cats to even up the score, but back-to-black blocks from Maryland brought the Terrapins to set point. Elnady extended the set for the 'Cats with a kill, and Reid and Simkus registered a pivotal block to tie the set at 24-24. The final stretch of the set was nip-and-tuck, but in the end the Wildcats were able to secure the victory off a crucial service ace from Drew Wright.
SET 2 | The 'Cats stayed hot to begin the second set, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead after kills from Elnady and Bullington. Reid grabbed another kill to force a Maryland timeout, but Northwestern did not let up, piecing together a 5-0 run to grow their lead to seven points. The Terrapins fought hard but could not match the Wildcats' hot hitting, allowing Northwestern to take the second set 25-17.
SET 3 | The start of the third set was all Northwestern, with Bullington and Reid each grabbing two kills to begin the first stretch of play. The Terrapins rallied after another timeout to bring the score to 6-6, but a Simkus and Elnady block generated some momentum for the 'Cats. Simkus came alive in the third set, coming up with three kills. Maryland fought back late to bring the score within one, and a Northwestern attack error allowed them to take the lead at 18-17. The rest of the set was closely contested, but the Terrapins were able to come away with the victory after two straight kills.
SET 4 | Both teams came out ready to go in the fourth set, with the score all tied up at 11-11 after a kill from Paris. A 4-0 Wildcat run highlighted by a Lauren Carter service ace forced another Terrapin timeout, and a kill from Reid allowed Northwestern to gain a vital two-point lead. Bullington would come up with the match-sealing point as the 'Cats took the fourth set, 25-21, and the match 3-1.
Game Notes
- Both Northwestern setters reached the twenty-assist mark in the same match for the sixth time this season. Lauren Carter put up a team-high 28 assists, while Sienna Noordermeer had 20.
- Carter also had 10 digs, good for her fourth double-double this season. She is now tied with Ayah Elnady for the most double-doubles by a Wildcat this year.
- Five different Wildcats recorded at least one service ace in the match, with Carter finishing with a team high of three.
- Bella Simkus, Campbell Paris and Gabrielle Gerry all hit above the .400 mark in the match while each finishing with at least five kills.
- Simkus' six blocks were her most in a Big Ten match this season, and her most overall since September 9 against Valparaiso (7).
Up Next
The 'Cats will travel to Los Angeles to continue Big Ten play, facing USC and UCLA on Thursday at 9 p.m. CT and Saturday at 9 p.m. CT. Both matches will be streamed on B1G+.
