Lauryn Hilger put down 13 kills in leading No.11 Northwestern to a four-set win (20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20) over No.15 Doane in a GPAC match-up played today at the Bultman Center. 

The Red Raiders extend their win streak to 14, matching their longest win streak since the 2014 season. They stay unbeaten in GPAC play (4-0) and improve to 17-1 overall. 

One of three Red Raiders to hit for double figures, Hilger hit .526 against the Tigers, totaling 13 kills in 19 attacks. The junior also led the team in the backrow with 15 digs, earning her third double-double of the season. A.J. Horstman (12) and Makenzie Fink (10) were also in double figures.

How It Happened...

Doane came out strong in the first set, opening up a seven-point lead and forcing the hosts to use both of their timeouts early; a late Northwestern run made it close in the end, 25-20; Doane hit .414, totaling 12 kills in 29 attacks and no errors in the first set

Northwestern led for most of the second set, a set that was very close from start to finish; a kill by Anna Kiel gave Northwestern its largest lead, 20-16, but Doane battled back to get within two, 22-20; kills by Horstman sandwiched an ace serve by Lacey Waker to put an end to the set and tie the match at 1-1

The Red Raiders opened set three with the first four points but Doane quickly came back, eventually taking a brief lead at 14-13; the set remained tight the rest of the way, and, with the score tied at 23, Northwestern won the set after successive Doane miscues, 25-23

Northwestern stormed out to a five point lead early in the final set and managed to keep its advantage from 4-5 points most of the way; a late push by Doane put the lead down to two (20-18) but the hosts closed with a 5-2 run to win it.

By the Numbers...

Both teams hit better than .300; Northwestern had the slight edge in hitting percentage, 33% - 32%.

Northwestern had the edge serving with nine aces compared to six for Doane; the Tigers had the advantage blocking, 4-3

Hilger has hit for double-figures in five matches this season

Fink has six matches with 10+ kills

Horstman has hit four double figures in four straight and in eight of her last nine matches;  11 for the season

Winterfeld has eight matches with double-figures in digs; the freshman also had two aces, continuing her streak of having one ace in every match this season

Doane was led by Maci Coffey, who led all players with 14 kills, hitting .294; Allison Kuenle added 12 and Alex Neff put up 42 assists

Up Next...Northwestern will host Mount Marty on Wednesday night, Sept. 27, at 6/7:30pm.