Northwestern College dropped a pair of matches on the first day of its home classic played tonight at the Bultman Center. The Red Raiders lost to Baker (Kan.) in a tough five-set match, 19-25, 25-23, 16-25, 27-25, 17-15, and then fell to #14 Lourdes (Ohio) in three, 25-22, 25-22 and 25-16. 

Leading 2-1 in the first match against Baker, Northwestern came just short in the final two sets, losing both in extra time, 27-25 and 17-15. 

Both teams hit below .200 in the back-and-forth match with Northwestern hitting .155 compared to .058 for Baker. Lauryn Hilger put down a career-high 19 kills to lead all players while Jessica Van Beek (13) and Andrea Horstman (11) were also in double figures. Casey Perez served five of the Red Raiders 12 total ace serves and Jillian Estes led the defense with 27 digs. Hilger recorded another double-double with 18 digs. 

Ashley Sparks led Baker with 13 kills and both Jenna Sackman and Olivia Brees added 10 kills each. 

Northwestern hit .226 in its straight set loss to Lourdes late Friday night. Hilger and Horstman led the Red Raiders effort at the net with eight kills each and Madi Arnell lofted up 14 assists. 

Lourdes was led by All-American Molly Shonk with 15 kills and Stephanie Ruffing added 13 kills. The Gray Wolves hit .278 for the match.

Northwestern will play (RV) Bellevue and #25 University of Jamestown tomorrow.