Northwestern
1-0,0-0Big Ten
New Mexico State
1-1,0-0CUSA
'Cats Defeat Aggies 3-1 to Win Season Opener
8/29/2025 7:13:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
LA JOLLA, Calif. -- Northwestern volleyball started its season with a bang on Friday against New Mexico State, winning two sets by more than ten points in the season-opening victory. The 'Cats got the job done in four sets (25-13, 22-25, 25-22, 25-12) to beat the Aggies in the first of three weekend matches at LionTree Arena.
The Wildcats were led by a double-double from Ayah Elnady, who registered 10 kills and 12 digs in her Northwestern debut. Also suiting up for the first time as a Wildcat, Campbell Paris led the offense with 13 kills on the evening. On the defensive end, Drew Wright chipped in 17 digs, while the 'Cats got four blocks each from Kayla Kauffman and Bella Simkus in their respective Northwestern debuts.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Wildcats took control on the first point and never looked back, winning the first set by a dominant final score of 25-13. Elnady ran off four straight aces to set the tone early, putting the 'Cats up to a 12-5 lead they wouldn't relinquish. Rylen Reid led the offense in the set with four kills.
SET 2 | The Aggies bounced back in a tight second set, eventually edging out Northwestern, 25-22, to tie the match at a set apiece. New Mexico State finally grabbed the advantage for good at 23-22 in a set that was knotted up six times along the way. Paris did the majority of her damage in the second set, logging seven of Northwestern's 13 kills in the frame.
SET 3 | Northwestern regained the lead in the third set with a 25-22 victory of their own. Northwestern's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four New Mexico State attacks in the stanza.
SET 4 | Finishing strong, the 'Cats wrapped up the match with a 25-12 set-four victory. On Elnady's serve, Northwestern ran off a 6-0 run to open up a 9-3 lead early on. Simkus, Reid and Kathryn Randorf all chipped in with kills, while Elnady fired off two more aces to keep the momentum going. Gigi Navarrete accounted for match point with a service ace at the end - fitting in a set that saw the 'Cats tally five total aces.
Game Notes
» Led by Campbell Paris, the 'Cats had three players reach double-digit kills: Paris (13), Ayah Elnady (10) and Rylen Reid (10).
» Elnady registered the 27th double-double of her career and her first as a Wildcat with 10 kills and 12 digs.
» Elnady also recorded a team-best seven aces in the win, falling just one shy of her career high.
» Reid's match was her fourth straight with double-digit kills, a streak that dates back to Nov. 23 of last season.
» Northwestern never trailed in the first or fourth set.
» Sienna Noordermeer and Lauren Carter both contributed 21 assists against the Aggies. It was the first 20+ assist performance of Carter's career, while for Noordermeer, it marked her first match with 20+ assists since Nov. 6, 2022.
» First-year Kayla Kauffman racked up four blocks in her collegiate debut, tying with Bella Simkus for the team lead in that category.
» First-year Bella Bullington also shone in her first match, chipping in five kills in the victory.
» Overall, six players made their Northwestern debuts in Friday's match: Bullington, Elnady, Gabrielle Gerry, Kauffman, Paris and Simkus.
» Northwestern last won its season opener in 2022, when the 'Cats defeated Pacific 3-0 in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Up Next
The 'Cats continue the UC San Diego Invitational tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. CT, when they are scheduled to take on Eastern Washington.
