Lauryn Hilger and
Makenzie Fink hit for double figures in kills in leading No.9 Northwestern to a 3-0 sweep over Doane in a GPAC Quarterfinal match played tonight at the Bultman Center.
No. 9 Northwestern improves to 23-6 and advances to play in the GPAC semifinals where they will host 14th-ranked Hastings on Wednesday night, Nov. 7, at 7pm. Doane's season comes to an end with a 13-17 mark.
Van Den Bosch's pin hitters had a big night as Hilger floored a match-high 15 kills in 25 attacks while Fink totaled 14 kills on the rightside. The duo committed just three attack errors and hit better than .450 for the match.
Emily Van Ginkel added seven kills in 11 attempts and also led the Red Raiders with three blocks.
Lacey Wacker lofted up 41 assists and directed a Red Raider offense that hit better than Doane in all three sets and ended with a .438 hitting percentage. The sophomore led backrow play with 10 digs.
First Set Comeback...
Kills by Fink and Hilger put the Red Raiders in front 10-8 but Doane followed with a 9-4 run and went ahead 17-14, forcing a timeout by Van Den Bosch. A kill by Van Ginkel triggered a 4-0 surge as Northwestern went ahead 18-17 followed by a timeout called by Doane. The set was then tied at both 19 and 20 until the Red Raiders closed the set on a 5-1 run for a 25-21 win.
Red Raiders Display Strong Net Play In Set Two...
Northwestern broke open a tight second set with a 6-1 run, highlighted by kills from four different players, to earn a 25-19 win in set two. The Red Raiders hit .528, led by Fink and Hilger, who totaled six kills each. Doane also hit well (.343), led by Madison Van Housen with five successful attacks.
Defense Comes Up Big In Final Set...
Northwestern limited the Tigers to 10 kills and forced them into 10 errors in winning the clincher 25-19. Tied at 11, the Red Raiders scored the next four points and outscored Doane 10-4 for a 21-15 lead. The teams traded points the rest of the way as the Red Raiders won match point with a kill from Wacker.
By The Numbers...
Northwestern had the advantage in kills (46-39), hitting percentage (44% - 19%) and blocks (6-2).
Van Housen and Allison Kuenle led Doane with 11 kills each; Kuenle totaled a match-high 12 digs.
