Makenzie Fink and A.J. Horstman put down eight kills each in leading No.11 Northwestern to a 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-15, 25-15) over Mount Marty tonight at the Bultman Center. 

Northwestern extends its win streak to 15 and improves to 5-0 in the GPAC, 18-1 overall. Mount Marty drops to 1-6 in the conference, 8-8 overall. 

The Red Raiders hit .329 for the match and held a commanding 8-1 edge in total blocks and 10-1 advantage in ace serves. 

Fast Start Leads To First Set Win

    Northwestern scored the first six points and led from start to finish in the first set 25-14 win. A Fink successful attack gave the Red Raiders a sideout to start the match and the freshman then served five consecutive points to help the hosts get out fast. Another 4-0 surge, sparked by an ace by Winterfeld and two kills by Horstman pushed the lead to nine (11-2) and Northwestern cruised to the big win.

Winterfeld Service Run Breaks Open Tight Second Set

    Just like in the first set, Northwestern opened up an early lead (7-2) but the Lancers responded with an 11-5 surge to take its first lead of the match, 13-12. The Red Raiders earned a sideout and Winterfeld followed with seven consecutive service points, getting two aces during the decisive run, for a 19-13 advantage. Back-to-back kills by Fink and Kiel put the Lancers away, 25-15, in the second set. 

Red Raider Too Strong In Final Set

    Northwestern led 8-4 and pushed its lead to eight (16-8) following a kill by Josie Blankespoor. There consecutive aces by Winterfeld put NWC up 20-10 and the Red Raiders played sideout volleyball the rest of the way to win, 25-15.

Match Notes:

Northwestern hit .329 for the match and hit better than the Lancers in each of the three sets; Mount Marty hit .065 for the match

All five Red Raider hitters had at least six kills and hit .250 or better; Blankespoor hit a team-best .667, totaling six kills in nine attacks

The Red Raiders dominated the net play, holding an 8-1 edge in blocks; Kiel assisted on five blocks, Hilger four and Blankespoor three

Lacey Wacker lofted up 29 assists; Winterfeld and Kiel led the backrow with seven digs

Mount Marty was led by Lauren Cattle and Rachel Reiff with seven kills each