Jessica Jensen and Lauryn Hilger combined for 23 kills in leading Northwestern College to a 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-23) win over Missouri Valley College in the first match today at the Five Points Bank Invitational in Hastings, Neb. Northwestern dropped its final match of the Classic to No.8 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-22).

Northwestern moves to 8-10 on the season. 

The Red Raider attack was led by Jensen with 12 kills and a .265 hitting percentage in the win over Mo. Valley. Hilger added 11 kills for a .200 hitting percentage in handing the Vikings just their third loss of the season (11-3). Northwestern hit .228 for the match and had a 7-2 blocking advantage, led by Caley Vink with 2.5. 

Hilger continued her effective play at the net in the loss to the Pioneers, powering down 15 kills to go with a .378 hitting efficiency. Northwestern also had outstanding contributions from usual suspects, Jensen (14 kills) and A.J. Horstman, who put down 11 kills and tallied 13 digs for the double-double. Northwestern hit .313 against MidAmerica Nazarene.

Red Raider Notes: 

Hilger has hit for double figures in a team-best 15 matches.

Jensen posted her third straight and 10th overall match in double figures; 14 kills marks her second highest total of the season

Horstman has now hit for double figures in nine matches

Jillian Estes led the defensive effort, totaling double figures (18, 16) in both matches on Saturday.

Jessa Doom put up 38 assists in the win over Missouri Valley; 41 in the loss to MNU.

Up Next...Northwestern will head to Yankton, S.D. for a GPAC match-up against Mount Marty on Tuesday night, Sept. 13.