Lauren Hilger matched her career-best with 21 kills in leading Northwestern to a thrilling five-set (25-18, 20-25, 23-25, 25-22, 16-14) upset over ninth-ranked Dordt College in a GPAC volleyball match played in Orange City, Iowa. The Red Raiders came back from a 2-1 deficit and held off two match points in the decisive fifth to earn the win.

Northwestern improves to 4-3 in the GPAC, 12-12 overall while the Defenders slip to 4-2 in conference play, 11-4 overall. 

Hilger put down 21 kills for the second consecutive match and recorded her sixth double-double with 14 digs. Jessica Jensen complimented Hilger's offense with 17 kills, matching her season best, while Caley Vink hammered down six kills to go with 1.5 blocks. 

Northwestern Out Fast, Eases To First Set Win

The Red Raiders scored the first four points and never trailed in earning a 25-18 first set win. Up by just two (12-10), Northwestern outscored the visitors 7-2, getting two kills from Hilger and back-to-back ace serves from A.J. Horstman during the run. Northwestern's offense was at its best, hitting .367 in the first set.

Strong Defenders' Start In Second Frame Ties Match

Dordt used the strong serving of Summer Jansen and Julia Lindbergh to rush out to a commanding 17-8 lead in set two. Northwestern slowly came back, however, and trailed by just three (23-20) following a Defenders' hitting error. Dordt clinched the set with kills from Lindbergh and Ema Altena as the Defenders' tied the match at one. Both teams struggled getting their offense going in the second with each team committing eight errors. 

Red Raiders Unable To Hold Early Lead in Third

Northwestern raced out to a 5-1 lead behind the play of Hilger, who scored put down three kills during the early surge. The hosts led by as many as six (13-7) after a kill of Becca Gritters but Dordt began its fierce rally, scoring 10 of the next 14 points to tie the set at 17 following a successful attack by Lindbergh. The teams traded sideouts until, with the scored knotted at 20, Dordt scored the next three and grabbed a 23-20 lead after an ace by Jansen. Northwestern came back to get within one (24-23) but a kill by Jamie Gesink gave Dordt the win, 25-23, and a 2-1 lead in the match. 

Furious Northwestern Comeback Forced Decisive Set

Down six early (12-6) in a must-win fourth set, Northwestern began to turn the momentum back in its favor with a string of three consecutive points, highlighted by kills by Hilger and Jill Vander Plaats. Another Red Raider surge tied the set at 21 and Hilger put the hosts in front for the first time in the fourth with a kill, 22-21. Northwestern closed the set by scoring three of the final four points, forcing a final set after an emphatic attack by Jensen on set point. 

Red Raiders Complete Upset With Comeback Win In Fifth

Sideouts were prevalent in the final set as the teams traded points until Dordt was the first team to score consecutive points to go ahead briefly (9-7) following a kill from Altena. Jensen brought Northwestern back, however, putting down consecutive kills to take the lead back (12-11). Following a Dordt timeout, the Defenders forced a sideout with kill by Brooke Granstra and went on to score the next three points to get to match point (14-12). Northwestern had one last answer, scoring the final four points of the match on a kill by Gritters and a couple of Dordt miscues to earn the upset. 

By the Numbers:

Northwestern hit .193 for the match and totaled nine blocks; Dordt hit .205 for the match and recorded 10 blocks.

Becca Gritters put down a career-high five kills and .312 over the final four sets; Jessa Doom lofted up a season high 52 assists

Jillian Estes (16 digs) and Brooke Van Gorp (10 digs), along with Hilger (14 digs), anchored the backrow play

HIilger has hit for 20+ kills in three matches this season; has 20 matches in double figures

Jensen has hit for double figures in 13 matches

Brooke Granstra led the Dordt offense with 14 kills and totaled 14 digs for the double--double.

Ema Altena added 13 kills and served two aces; Jamie Gesink lofted up 46 assists and totaled nine digs.