Game Time...The Northwestern College volleyball team returns to action Thursday night when they host Dakota Wesleyan for another GPAC match-up. First serve at the Bultman Center is scheduled for 7:30pm. Northwestern, ranked 15th in the NAIA, is 3-1 in the GPAC, 12-4 overall. Dakota Wesleyan is 1-3 in conference play, 11-4 overall.

Follow the game live, via the NWC webcast, at this link: Watch Now!

Listen to the game live, via the KSOU broadcast, at this link: Listen Now! 

The Rivalry...Northwestern holds a 33-1 advantage in the rivalry against DWU, dating back to the 1990 season. The Red Raiders have won 33 straight in the series, including both matches last season by 3-0 scores.

Scouting Reports...

    Dakota Wesleyan Tigers: 1-3, 11-4                Head Coach: Lindsay Wilber-5th year

The Tigers opened the 2018 season with nine straight wins, all coming in non-conference play. They are 2-4 since, losing three of their last four matches, and are 1-3 in conference play. DWU has a win over Mount Marty and has lost to Dordt, Briar Cliff and Jamestown in league play.

Wilber is in her fifth season as the Tigers head coach, coming to DWU after a successful stint as both a Club coach and as director of the TIBBS academy. Wilber returns nine of her 10 top players from a 2017 team that finished tied with Concordia for eighth in the GPAC at 3-13, 16-18 overall. 

By the Numbers (Conference Rank / NAIA rank-if top 10)
        Kills/Game: 12.6 (7th)
        Hitting %: .232 (4th)
        Aces: 55 (12th)
        Digs/Set: 18.9 (1st)
        Blocks/Set: 2.2 (6th)

     Top Players (Conf / NAIA rank-if top 10)
        Rebecca Frick (2nd team all-conference)  4.7 kills/set (1st/2nd), .261%, 3.9 digs/set, 37 blocks
        Sydney Fritz  2.7 kills/set, .246%, 16 blocks
        Emily Brunsing  1.6 kills/set, .228%, 56 blocks (6th)
        Bridgett Knobbe (HM All-Conference)  9.9 assists/set, 2.0 digs/set, 31 blocks
        Sara Herman (HM All-Conference)  11 aces, 5.02 digs/set (2nd)

    #15 Northwestern College Red Raiders:  3-1 (GPAC), 12-4 overall        Head Coach: Kyle Van Den Bosch (14th year)

The Red Raiders have won two straight conference games and climbed one spot to 15th in this week's NAIA Coaches' poll released Tuesday night. They are 3-1 in the GPAC, 12-4 overall, with wins over Jamestown and Mount Marty in their last two matches. 

By the Numbers (Conference Rank / NAIA rank-if top 10)
        Kills/Game: 13.9 (1st / 5th)
        Hitting %: .280% (1st / 7th)
        Aces: 113 (1st)
        Digs/Set: 13.8 (11th)
        Blocks/Set: 1.9 (9th)

     Top Players (Conf / NAIA rank-if top 10)
        Lauryn Hilger (3x all-conference)  4.4 kills/set (2nd / 9th), 29 aces (1st), 2.6 digs/set
        Makenzie Fink (All-Conference)  2.5 kills/set, .246%, 21 aces (4th), 1.2 digs/set
        Emily Van Ginkel  1.9 kills/set, .256%, 38 blocks
        Bekah Horstman  1.6 kills/set, .387%, 44 blocks
        Lacey Wacker (All-Conference / GPAC Freshman of Year)  11.5 assists/set (1st /1st), 12 aces, 2.2 digs/set
        Emily Strasser  17 aces, 3.9 digs/set (8th)


Up Next..The Red Raiders head to Seward, Neb. to play their third match in five days as they square off against Concordia. First serve is at 5pm.