Game Time...Northwestern College plays host to Morningside for a GPAC match-up between ranked teams Tuesday night. First serve scheduled for 7:30pm. Northwestern, ranked 11th in the last NAIA coaches' poll, is currently in first place in the GPAC with a 6-0 record, 19-1 overall. Ranked 24th in the latest poll, Morningside is 6-2 in conference play, 14-7 overall. 

Follow the match live via the Northwestern College webcast at the following link: Watch Now!

All-Time...The Red Raiders hold a 25-11 advantage in the all-time series, winning nine of the last 10 matches. Last year, the teams split their two matches with each winning on its home court. Both matches went four sets last year.

Scouting Reports...

    No.24 Morningside College: 6-2 (5th), 14-7 overall     Head Coach: Beth Donnelly (3rd year)

Morningside has won seven consecutive matches and brings a 14-7 overall record into Tuesday night's match. The Mustangs are in fifth place in the current GPAC standings with a 6-2 record, earning wins over Mount Marty, Briar Cliff, Doane, Concordia, Dakota Wesleyan and College of Saint Mary. They have not lost since dropping consecutive matches against Midland and Dordt early in September.

Donnelly, in her third season as the head coach of the Mustangs, returns eight players from their rotation off a 2016 team that finished sixth in the GPAC with an 8-8 record, 20-15 overall. They qualified for their first NAIA National Championship since 2012, going 1-2 in pool play where they defeated Park (Mo.) in five sets. Morningside was ranked 24th in the final poll of 2016. 

By the Numbers:  (GPAC rank/NAIA rank if top 10)
    Kills/Set:      13.66 (3rd)
    Hitting %:     .216 (5th)
    Aces:           97 (6th)
    Digs/Set:     17.9 (2nd)
    Blocks/Set: 2.24 (2nd)

Individual Leaders: (GPAC rank/NAIA rank if top 10)
    Jayde Bergmann (all-conference)-2.7 kills/set, .233 %, 52 blocks
    Emma Gerber-2.44 kills/set, .255 %, 52 blocks
    Jenn Buyert (2x all-conference)-2.23 kills/set, .186, 33 blocks
    Brittni Olson (all-conference)-2.2 kills, .326% (6th), 80 blocks (4th)
    Callie Alberico 8.7 assists/set, 17 aces
    Nikki Oberfoell  18 aces, 4.8 digs/set (2nd)

No.11 Northwestern College Red Raiders: 6-0 (1st), 19-1 Overall

The Red Raiders have won 16 straight matches since their 3-2 loss to then-No.9 Corban, the longest win streak since the 2014 season; they are currently unbeaten in conference play, owning a 6-0 record and in first place.

By the Numbers: (GPAC/NAIA Rank-if top 10)
Kills/Set:                14.2 (1st/6th)
Hitting Percentage: .323 (1st/3rd)
Aces:                      173 (1st/4th)
Digs:                       12.9 (11th)
Blocks/Set:             1.8 (8th)

Individual Leaders: (GPAC Rank/NAIA-if top 10)
Anna Kiel: 3.6 kills/set (3rd), .398 % (2nd/5th), 56 blocks, 1.9 digs/set
A.J. Horstman (All-conference): 3.1 kills/set, .327 (5th), 28 aces (3rd), 1.8 digs, 44 blocks
Lauryn Hilger (All-American): 2.5 kills/set, .297 (7th), 21 aces, 2.9 digs/set
Makenzie Fink: 2.4 kills/set, 27 aces (5th), 1.9 digs/set
Josie Blankespoor: 1.5 kill/set, .382 %, 51 blocks
Lacy Wacker: 11.7 assists/set (1st/2nd), 22 aces, 18 blocks
Karsyn Winterfeld: 60 aces (1st/1st), 2.8 digs/set