Lauryn Hilger put down a match-high 21 kills in leading 15th-ranked Northwestern to a 3-0 sweep over Dakota Wesleyan in a GPAC match-up played tonight at the Bultman Center. Individual game scores include 25-17, 25-14 and 29-27. 

Northwestern earned its third straight win and third consecutive sweep, improving to 4-1 in the GPAC, 13-4 overall.

Hilger pounded 21 kills, her fourth match with 20+ kills this season, and hit .621 for the match. Josie Blankespoor matched her career-best with 12 kills in 24 attempts, hitting .333. Lacey Wacker lofted up 51 assists, two shy of her season high, and directed a Northwestern offense that hit 39% against the Tigers.

Balance Keys First Set Win

All five Red Raider hitters had at least three kills as the hosts won the first set 25-17. Northwestern hit 45% compared to 12% by DWU and the hosts used a 7-1 run to break open a tight set early. 

Red Raiders' Offense Clicks in Set Two

Northwestern hit 65% and never trailed in cruising to a 25-14 set two win. Hilger (7) and Blankespoor (6) led the way in kills and the Red Raiders committed just two attack errors in 26 attempts.

Extra Time Needed In Third Set Win

Northwestern fell behind by three (20-17) but used a 6-0 run, with Hilger serving, to pull ahead 23-20. Leading 24-21 and serving for the match, Northwestern could not finish off the Tigers as DWU scored four of the next five points to tie the set at 25. Still knotted at 27, Hilger put down a successful attack to break the tie and DWU then made an attack error to clinch for the hosts, 29-27.

Other Notes...

Bekah Horstman totaled eight kills and three blocks; Emily Van Ginkel had seven kills and three blocks and Makenzie Fink put down six kills. 

Hilger led the backrow with 11 digs and Strasser totaled nine.

DWU was led by Rebecca Frick with 13 kills.