Game Time...Northwestern College plays host to Dordt College for a GPAC volleyball match-up between ranked teams tonight at the Bultman Center. First serve is scheduled for 7:30pm. Northwestern, ranked 14th in the latest NAIA Coaches' poll, has won 10 straight matches and brings a 13-1 overall record into Tuesday night's match. Fifth-ranked Dordt has won 12 straight and is 13-2 on the year. 

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

All-Time...Northwestern  owns a slim 43-39 advantage in the series dating back to the 1989 season. In the 12 seasons under coach Van Den Bosch (since 2005), Northwestern is 20-11 against the Defenders. 

Scouting Reports...

    No.5 Dordt College: 1-0 (GPAC), 13-2     Head Coach: Chad Hanson (7th year)

Since losing back-to-back matches in a season-opening tournament in California, the Defenders have won 12 consecutive matches for a 13-2 overall record, 1-0 in conference play. They have wins over seven ranked opponents, including a four-set win over #24 Morningside in their GPAC opener. Dordt also has wins over No.18 MidAmerica Nazarene (2), No.9 Corban, No.12 Grand View and No. 14 Montana Tech. 

Chad Hanson, now in his seventh season as head coach, is 134-64 during his time and has guided the Defenders to three NAIA Tournaments, including the last two years. Last year, Hanson guided Dordt to a 28-8 overall record and a trip to the NAIA National Championship match where they lost to GPAC rival Hastings in five sets. Five rotation players return from the 2016 team, including two All-Americans. 

By the Numbers:
Kills Per Set: 14.5 (3rd in GPAC / 9th in NAIA)
Hitting Percentage: .253 (2nd in GPAC)
Aces: 82 (2nd in GPAC)
Blocks: 91 (7th in GPAC)

Individual Leaders:
Ema Altena: 2016 All-American - 4.4 kills/set (1st in GPAC/4th in NAIA), 20 aces (8th in GPAC)
Leah Kamp: 3 kills/set, .320 kill efficiency (8th in GPAC), 38 blocks (7th in GPAC)
Julia Lindbergh: 2.3 kills/set; .209 kill efficiency
Jamie Gesink: 2x All-American - 1.3 kills/set, 10.7 assists/set (3rd in GPAC), 17 aces
Summer Jansen: 2x All-Conference; 14 aces, 4.6 digs/set (4th in GPAC)

  No.14 Northwestern:  0-0 (GPAC), 13-1 overall     Head Coach: Kyle Van Den Bosch (13th year)

The Red Raiders have won 10 straight matches since losing to then-No.9 Corban (Ore.) at the Bultman Center in late August. Northwestern is 13-1 overall and ranked 14th in the latest NAIA coaches' poll. 

By the Numbers:
Kills Per Set: 14.5 (2nd in GPAC / 10th in NAIA)
Hitting Percentage: .336 (1st in NAIA)
Aces: 122 (2nd in NAIA / 1st in GPAC)
Blocks: 90.5 (8th in GPAC)

Individual Leaders:
Anna Kiel-3.7 kills per set (6th in GPAC), 38 blocks
A.J. Horstman-3.1 kills per set, 24 aces, 32 blocks
Lauryn Hilger-NAIA All-American; 2.7 kills per set, 18 aces, 3.2 digs/set
Lacey Wacker-12 assists/set (1st in NAIA)
Karsyn Winterfeld-43 aces (1st in NAIA), 2.6 digs/set

Up Next...Northwestern College will play another GPAC match this weekend at Concordia in Seward, Neb.