No.9 Northwestern College downed No.14 Hastings 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23) in a GPAC Semifinal match between ranked teams played tonight at the Bultman Center. The win propels the Red Raiders into the GPAC Championship for the first time since the 2014 season where they will play at No.1 seed Dordt on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7pm. 

Lauryn Hilger put down a match-high 20 kills and hit .459 for the match against the tall front line of the Broncos. Makenzie Fink floored 16 kills, hitting .481, and Bekah Horstman totaled eight kills and 1.5 blocks. 

Northwestern improves to 24-6 on the year; Hastings drops to 19-6 as the Broncos will have a long layoff prior to playing in the NAIA Volleyball National Championship.

The Red Raiders hit .409 for the match and held the advantage in hitting percentage in all four sets. Both teams totaled six blocks and four aces. Lacey Wacker put up 46 assists and seven digs and Ann Pater accounted for 10 digs. Both Hilger and Emily Strasser registered nine digs each.

First Set: Northwestern 25  Hastings 14

The Red Raiders came out strong, scoring nine of the first 12 points and forced Hastings into taking a timeout. A kill by Ally Ginkens and hitting error on Northwestern brought the lead down to four (9-5) but Van Den Bosch's squad came back with a 11-4 run, behind the serving of Wacker who contributed six consecutive points or a 20-9 advantage. The teams played sideout volleyball from there as Northwestern took the first set 25-14. Van Den Bosch's squad hit an incredible .667, committing one error in 21 attacks. 

Second Set: Hastings  25    Northwestern 22

With Hastings in front 10-9, the Broncos went on a 9-4 run and led 19-13 after a kill by Ginkens. Northwestern came back, however, and following kills by Hilger and Fink along with an ace by Strasser, made it a two-point game, 22-20. Van Den Bosch's squad would not get any closer, however, as the teams traded points thereafter as Hastings tied the match 1-1.

Third Set: Northwestern 25   Hastings 19

Northwestern built up a 9-6 lead only to have the Broncos come back with a 6-1 run for a 12-10 lead of their own. The Red Raiders tied it at 12 and the score was tied four more times, the final at 16. Successful attackes by Horstman and Hilger and ace serve by Sydney Martin put the Red Raiders in front for good as they closed on a 9-3 run. 

Fourth Set: Northwestern 25   Hastings 23

Close early, a 6-2 run gave the cushion Northwestern needed to take the final set. The Red Raiders led 23-18 but Hastings made one final push, cut the lead down to one (24-23) but Emily Van Ginkel scored match point with a solo block to halt the comeback bid.

More Numbers...

Wacker, Fink, Martin and Strasser all had one ace serve

Hastings was led by Lucy Skoch and Sage Meyer with 10 kills each; Claira Thede totaled 30 assists

Hilger has hit for 20+ kills seven times this season; Fink has hit for double figures in 13 matches