Third-ranked Northwestern College earned its 18th straight win with a 3-0 sweep (25-11, 25-19, 25-14) over Dakota Wesleyan Thursday night at the Bultman Center. The win improves the Red Raiders to 8-0 at the midpoint of the conference schedule, 21-1 overall. DWU drops to 1-7 in the GPAC, 12-11 overall. 

Northwestern dominated play with an offensive attack that hit .362 for the match, totaling 52 kills in 105 attempts against 13 kills. The Red Raiders were led by both Lauryn Hilger and Makenzie Fink who put away 13 kills each. Hilger led also led the backrow play with 10 digs, recording her fourth double-double of the season. 

Set One:  NWC  25     DWU   11

The Red Raiders hit .394 in the opening set, putting down 17 kills in 33 attempts, and held DWU to a match-low 3%. Leading by two (9-7), Anna Kiel served a 9-0 run and Fink followed with a kill and then served five consecutive points to put NW up 24-11. A kill by Josie Blankespoor, her fifth of the opening set, gave the Red Raiders the first set win.

Set Two:   NWC  25    DWU  19

Northwestern's attack proved to be too much in set two, hitting .378 compared to .226 by the Tigers. The Red Raiders led from the start, opening up a 9-5 lead after a kill by Fink. Leading by two (14-12), Northwestern gradually pulled away behind the strong serving of Karsyn Winterfeld, Kiel and Hilger. 

Set Three:   NWC  25    DWU   14

An early 7-1 Northwestern run put the hosts up for good in the final set, getting kills by Hilger (2), Blankespoor and A.J. Horstman. The Red Raiders never let DWU get closer than seven the rest of the way. 

Match Notes...

The Red Raiders hit better than .350 for the ninth time this season and held an opponent to below .200 for the 16th time.

Hilger hit for double figures for the sixth time this season; totaled 10+ digs for the 11th time and fourth double-double of the season

Fink totaled 10+ kills for the eighth time this season

Northwestern had the edge in ace serves, 5-2; five different Red Raiders had an ace, including Winterfeld, who improved her NAIA-leading number to 64 on the year

Lacey Wacker put up 47 assists and totaled six digs

Northwestern had the edge in blocking, 4-2

Rebecca Frick led DWU with 10 kills