Northwestern College dropped a four-set match to No. 3 Midland (25-12, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17) played this afternoon in Fremont, Neb. The Red Raiders fall to 8-6 in the GPAC, 16-16 overall while Midland stays in the hunt for the conference regular season title with a 12-2 league record, 22-2 overall. 

Lauryn Hilger put down a team-high 14 kills and totaled six digs to lead the Red Raiders offense. A.J. Horstman was also in double figures with 10 kills in 39 attacks. Jessa Doom directed the Northwestern attack, lofting up 29 assists to go with 12 digs. 

Red Raiders Fall Behind Early and Drop First Set

After scoring the first two points, Northwestern was outscored 11-1 by the host Warriors as they fell behind 11-3. A kill by Jill Vander Plaats cut the lead down to six (12-6) but Northwestern could not get any closer as they dropped the first set 25-12. 

Northwestern Holds Off Late Rally To Win Second Set

Tied at 13 as the team's traded sideouts early in set two, Northwestern went on a 7-4 run to take a 20-16 advantage. Midland immediately cut the lead down to one (20-19) and still was down just one (24-23) until a Warriors hitting error put Northwestern on top 25-23.

Midland's Offense Too Much for Red Raiders In Final Two Sets

The Warriors hit better than .400 in each of the final two sets and held the Red Raider attack in check as they won 25-14 and 25-17. 

Notes:

Northwestern hit .074 for the match, second lowest percentage of the season; Midland hit .279 for the match

Midland held the advantage in ace serves (10-3) and blocks (11.5-6).

Caley Vink (3) and A.J. Horstman (2) led the Red Raiders in blocks.

Jillian Estes had team-high honors with 14 digs

Hilger has hit for double figures in 27 matches this season; Horstman has 15 matches in double figures

Midland was led by KC Heimann and Priscilla O'Dowd with 16 kills each.

Jessica Peters totaled 41 assists and seven digs.

Jenny Blair served five of her team's 10 aces.