Game Time... The Red Raiders will try to extend their six game win streak tonight as they play host to USF in a GPAC volleyball contetst. Northwestern, ranked 18th in last week's NAIA poll, is 21-7 overall, 9-3 overall and are just one game out of first place in the league standings. USF is 19-13 overall, 4-8 in the GPAC and are tied with Midland Lutheran for the final spot in the upcoming GPAC tournament.
Last Time Out... The Cougars ended their three-game losing streak last night with a 3-0, non-conference win over Buena Vista. USF won the first two games, 30-26 and 30-21, but trailed early in the third game before they rallied to win, 30-20. Beth Mathes tallied a game-high 20 kills while Jamie Gerdes added 15 for USF.
Northwestern rallied from an 0-2 deficit to defeat Doane, 3-2. The Red Raiders lost games one and two, 30-26 and 30-25, but won games four and five, 30-26 and 30-25. In the decisive game five, they downed the host Tigers, 15-10. Five NWC players recorded double figures in kills, led by Megan Meyer with 17. Kaitlin Beaver added 13 kills and 15 digs followed by Karrisa Davelaar and Hillary Hanno with 12 kills apiece. Randa Hulstein recorded 11 kills and eight blocks. Rachel Gosselink lofted 64 assists and served 95% with two aces for the Raiders.
Scouting Report... The Cougars are second in the league in blocks per game (3.1) and are led by Teri Smith and Monica Bloyer who total 70 and 69, respectively. Mathes is the GPAC leader averaging 4.2 kills per game and is hitting .256 for the season. Danielle Jenkins and Amber Sneller share the setting duties and combine to average 13 assists per game. Sneller leads the team with 32 ace serves.
Red Raider Notes... Megan Meyer and Rachel Gosselink earned GPAC honors for their play last week. Meyer averaged five kills per game and hit .300 in the three match wins. She totaled a game-high 25 kills in the 3-1 win over #12 Morningside. Gosselink lofted 14 assists per game and recorded a total of 64 assists in the 3-2 win over Doane. She also served 95% for the week with five ace serves. For the season, Meyer leads the Red Raiders averaging 3.3 kills per game. Bobbie jean Rich is averaging 2.9 kills per game and Hillary Hanno leads the team with a .312 hitting percentage and is averaging 2.9 kills per contest. Randa Hulstein leads the team with 110 total blocks to go with 2.4 kills per game. Kaitlin Beaver averages 2.7 kills and leads the team with 38 ace serves. Rachel Gosselink ranks second in the league with 13 assists per game and has 33 ace serves. Janna Bloemendaal leads the backrow with 3.3 digs per game and is serving 94%. Delainye Hardersen is serving 96% and has 30 aces.
Last Meeting... Northwestern defeated the Cougars back on Sept. 26, 3-0. Individual game scores were 30-22, 30-11 and 30-20. Hillary Hanno led the way with 14 kills and Megan Meyer added 12.
Next Time Out...The Red Raiders will host a pair of matches this weekend, beginning with Midland Lutheran on Friday night at 7:30 pm. On Saturday, they will host Dana in their final home game of the regular season. The match will also be parent’s night as well as senior night for the Red Raiders’ three seniors: Karrisa Davelaar, Megan Meyer and Colette Veldhorst. Northwestern will close the regular season on the road next week against Dordt College on Oct. 30.
2007 media guide
