Game Time... A short turnaround puts the Northwestern volleyball team back in action after just two days off with a road match against Briar Cliff on Wednesday night, Oct. 7. First serve at the Newman Flanagan Center is set for 7:30pm with the JV match before at 6pm. 

Northwestern is tied with College of Saint Mary for fourth place in the current GPAC standings with a 2-1 record, 4-1 overall. Briar Cliff has lost eight consecutive matches and is 0-6 in the GPAC, 4-8 overall. 

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    Follow the match live at the following links: Watch | Listen (KSOU) | Stats

All-Time...Northwestern has the advantage in the all-time series, leading 61-10 since the 1989 season. The Raiders won both matches last year, earning a 3-0 win in Sioux City and a 3-1 victory at the Bultman Center.

Scouting Reports...

    Briar Cliff Chargers: 0-6 (GPAC), 4-8 overall        Head Coach: Lindsey Weatherford (2nd year)

Since its four-match win streak at the start of the season, Briar Cliff has dropped eight straight matches, including six in conference play. They defeated Waldorf, William Penn, Cottey and Avila in matches played Sept. 5-6. Losses include Dakota Wesleyan (2), Morningside (2), Dordt, Jamestown, along with Mayville State and University of Northwestern in non-conference play. 

Weatherford is in her second season with the Chargers program, taking over prior to the 2019 season. She has served as an assistant coach at Luther (Iowa), Kirkwood Community College and Waldorf. Weatherford returns three starters and five players from a 2019 team that finished 11th in the GPAC at 3-13, 13-18 overall. They were picked to finish 11th in the preseason poll.

    By The Numbers (GPAC rank)
    Hitting Percentage - .176 (8th)
    Kills / Set - 11.2 (12th)
    Aces / Set - 1.5 (3rd)
    Digs / Set - 14.7 (11th)
    Blocks / Set - 2.1 (7th)

    Top Players (GPAC rank)
    Grace Hanno - 3.0 kills / set (10th), .185%, 3.6 digs/set
    Tyra Blue - 2.1 kills / set, .200%, 20 blocks
    Chloe Johnson - 1.8 kills /set, .238%, 1.2 digs/set
    Toria Andre - 1.6 kills/set, .185%, 32 blocks
    Maureen Imrie - 4.6 assists/set
    Tannah Heath - 17 aces (4th), 3.6 digs/set

Northwestern College Raiders: 2-1 (GPAC), 4-1 overall        Head Coach: Kyle Van Den Bosch (16th year)

The Raiders were defeated for the first time this season last time out, swept by Dordt University on Monday night, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14. Prior to that setback, Northwestern had won its four previous matches and 12 of 13 sets played. 

Northwestern, the defending GPAC regular season champion, was picked first in the 2020 preseason coaches poll.

The Raiders swept the GPAC Player of the Week honors as Anna Wedel, Lacey Reitz and Emily Strasser earned attacker, setter and defensive accolades. Reitz was named the NAIA Setter of the week as well.

    By The Numbers (GPAC rank)
    Hitting Percentage - .288 (1st / 4th)
    Kills / Set - 14.5 (1st / 4th)
    Aces / Set - 1.3 (7th)
    Digs / Set - 17.4 (5th)
    Blocks / Set - 2.1 (6th)

    Top Players (GPAC rank)
    Anna Wedel - 4.4 kills/set (1st, 10th), .354% (3rd), 3 digs/set
    Makenzie Fink - 2.6 kills/set, .324% (5th), 7 blocks
    Emily Van Ginkel - 2.5 kills/set, .287% (10th), 1.1 blocks/set (8th)
    Lacey Reitz - 12.2 assists/set (1st/1st), 3 aces, 2.9 digs/set
    Emily Strasser - 4.3 digs/set (9th), 97% serve receive