Third-ranked Northwestern College dropped a four-set match to No.7 Dordt, 25-22, 30-28, 19-25, 25-22, in a showdown between top 10 teams played tonight in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Red Raiders lost for the first time in conference play, falling to 8-1 in the GPAC, 21-2 overall. Dordt improves to 8-1 in the conference, 20-4 overall. 

A.J. Horstman led the Red Raiders with 16 kills and 13 digs, hitting .229 against the Defenders. Anna Kiel added 12 kills, 12 digs and a pair of ace serves. 

Early Defenders' Run Leads To First Set Win

With Dordt leading by one (7-6), Defenders freshman Erica Bousema served seven consecutive points to break open a tight first set. Out of timeouts and trailing 21-13 late, Northwestern rallied and was down just two, 24-22, following a successful attack by Horstman, until Ema Altena put down a kill to give Dordt the first set win. NW hit just 12% compared to 33% by the hosts in the opening frame.

Red Raiders Nearly Pull Off Dramatic Rally In Set Two

Northwestern fell behind early again in set two as the Defenders continued to have success at the net with Altena and Leah Kamp. The Red Raiders battled from behind and were within one (19-18) following a kill by Kiel but the Defenders scored four of the next five points and served for the set, leading 24-19. Northwestern earned a sideout after a Defenders' error and, behind the serving of Karsyn Winterfeld, began a 6-0 run to get to set point. From there, the fans in attendance were treated to dramatic, long rallies as the both teams played sideout volleyball. Tied at 28, Dordt scored the final two points on kills by Kamp and Altena to take a 2-0 lead.

Northwestern Avoids Sweep With Third Set Win

The Red Raiders played their best in set three, hitting over .300 with 12 kills in 28 attacks against three errors. Northwestern scored the first three points and led by as many as five (18-13) following an ace serve by Kiel before Dordt came back to get within one (18-17). A Defenders' error gave the serve back to NW and the Red Raiders finished off the hosts with six of the final eight points, capped by another ace serve by Winterfeld.

Fast Start Leads To Defenders' Win in Final Set

A 9-2 Dordt run at the start of the fourth set proved to be too much for Northwestern to overcome. The Red Raiders answered the strong start with a surge of their own, cuttiing the lead down to two (11-9) and down to one late (23-22) with a block by Josie Blankespoor, but could not get any closer. 

By the Numbers...

Northwestern hit a season-low.162 for the match compared to .221 by the Defenders, just the first time the Red Raiders were outhit by an opponent this season; this is also the first time that Northwestern hit below .200

With her 16 kills and 13 digs, Horstman has hit for double figures in 14 matches and has four double-doubles

Kiel has a team-high 19 matches with 10+ kills; tonight was her third double-double of the season

Hilger has posted double figures in digs in 12 matches

Wacker lofted up 36 assists and served two aces

Northwestern totaled nine blocks compared to 10 by Dordt; Josie Blankespoor led the Raiders with three

Karsyn Winterfeld had two aces to go with eight digs; the freshman also went 29-29 in serve receive; Winterfeld has at least one ace serve in every match this season

Ema Altena belted down a match-high 23 kills, hitting .286 for the Defenders; Leah Kamp added 13 kills and three blocks while Jamie Gesink put pu 49 assists and 14 digs