Lauryn Hilger put down a match-high 17 kills in leading 15th-ranked Northwestern to its fourth straight win, defeating Concordia 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 28-26) in a GPAC match-up played today in Seward, Neb. Coach Kyle Van Den Bosch's squad runs its record to 5-1 in the conference, 14-4 overall. 

Northwestern hit .257 for the match, including .396 in the final set, led by Hilger with 17 kills in 32 attempts. Josie Blankespoor complimented Hilger with 10 kills in 26 attacks on the leftside. Makenzie Fink put down nine kills and Lacey Wacker orchestrated the Red Raider offense with 42 assists. 

Late Surge Puts Red Raiders On Top In Set One

Bekah Horstman finished a 3-0 Northwestern run with a kill as the Red Raiders pulled away late to defeat Concordia 25-23 in the opening set. Tied for the 13th and final time in the first set at 20, back-to-back miscues by Concordia and a kill by Horstman put Northwestern up 23-20. Concordia pulled to within one (24-23) and served to tie the set but Fink put down the game-winner from an assist by Wacker to give the Red Raiders the 25-23 win. Van Den Bosch's squad hit 12% and limited Concordia to 0% (7 kills, 7 errors, 25 attacks).

Defense Keys Set Two Win

Northwestern held the Bulldogs to a negative hitting percentage and used a 9-3 run midway through to earn a 25-19 win in set two. Tied at six, the Red Raiders scored nine of the next 12 points to take a 15-9 lead. A Concordia rally brought the Bulldogs within one (20-19) but Hilger put down three kills in leading the Red Raiders to the final five points and a 25-19 win. Northwestern hit 19% compared to -3% by Concordia. 

Offense Showcased In Final Set

Both teams showcased their potent offense in a close final set that Northwestern won in extra time, 28-26. The Red Raiders hit 40%, totaling 23 kills against just four errors, while Concordia played nearly flawless at the net, totaling 21 kills in 43 attempts. 

The Red Raiders scored the first four points and stayed ahead for much of the set, until Concordia used a 6-2 run to tie the set at 20. Successful attacks by Emily Van Ginkel, Hilger and Blankespoor put the Red Raiders back up by four and serving for the match at 24-20. Concordia then scored the next four points and then the teams traded points until, with the score tied at 26, a service error on the Bulldogs followed by an ace by Wacker gave Northwestern the win.

By the Numbers...

Northwestern accounted for five blocks, three by Horstman; Concordia totaled nine

Hilger (12) and Emily Strasser (7) led the back row; Northwestern held a 3-1 advantage in aces, two by Strasser

Kara Stark led the Bulldogs with 10 kills and both Emmie Noyd and Morgan Nibbe totaled seven each

Up Next...Northwestern will host a pair of matches next weekend, beginning with Doane  on Friday night, Sept. 28 at 7:30pm.