The Red Raiders swept Concordia, 3-0, in the quarterfinals of the GPAC Volleyball Tournament. Second seeded Northwestern improves to 26-7 overall and will host #3 Hastings on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm. Concordia, the seventh seed, ends their season with a 21-14 record.
Trailing early in game one, Northwestern outscored the Bulldogs 20-9 to take a 24-14 lead. NWC held on to win the game, 30-20. Game two was close throughout with neither team able to lead by more than three points. With Concordia leading 19-18, Northwestern scored four of the next five points en route to a 30-26 win. The Red Raiders jumped out to an 11-3 advantage in game three and cruised to a 30-21 win in the final game.
Northwestern, which has now won 11 straight matches, was led by Bobbie jean Rich with 14 kills and a .333 kill efficiency. Kaitlin Beaver totaled nine kills and three blocks while Megan Meyer and Hillary Hanno added eight kills each. Rachel Gosselink lofted up 40 assists while Janna Bloemendaal recorded a team-high 11 digs and three ace serves. Kelli Ziegler led Concordia with nine kills and 12 assists.
The Red Raiders will now play third seeded Hastings on Wednesday night in one of two GPAC semifinal matches. Northwestern lost to the Broncos, 3-0, in their only prior meeting this season. In the other semifinal match, top-seeded Morningside hosts fifth seed Dordt. The two winners will play Saturday night for the GPAC championship at the highest seed.
2007 media guide
