Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Northwestern
#24 Northwestern Trips Up Hoosiers
11/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 13, 2010
Final Stats |
Photo Gallery 
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University volleyball team (19-9, 7-9) came out on the wrong end of a 3-0 tally versus #24 Northwestern (18-8, 8-8) Saturday night inside University Gym. The Wildcats took the match 25-23, 25-16, 25-23.
Senior middle blocker Ashley Benson was a force early and often. She terminated her first eight swings for kills and swung at a .650 clip for the match (15-2-20). Add in five block assists and a service ace, and Benson finished the night with a match-high 18.5 points. Libero Caitlin Cox also had a strong showing, leading all players with 12 digs.
The opening set was a back-and-forth affair with seven lead changes and 11 tied scores. Cox dug up an impressive eight balls, but Northwestern's Alex Ayers final attack of the set found the hardwood and gave her Wildcats a 25-23 winner. It marked the Hoosiers' third heartbreaking two-point defeat of the week.
Indiana burst out for a 7-1 lead in set number two, powered by back-to-back service aces for Kelci Marshall. The Hoosiers would go on to score just nine more points the rest of the set, however, dropping it 25-16.
The third frame was just as close as the first, being decided by just two points for the fourth time this week. Benson made a valiant effort to carry the Hoosiers with six kills and a .444 hitting efficiency. In the end it was Northwestern coming out on top though, clinching the match with another 25-23 winning tally.
The Cream and Crimson embark on their final road trip of the regular season next weekend, heading to the state of Michigan for matches versus the Wolverines and MSU Spartans.
