Oct. 21, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue volleyball team defeated Big Ten rival Northwestern Saturday in the IAF, 3-2 (15-9, 15-10, 5-15, 8-15, 15-13). The Boilermakers improved to 10-12 (2-8 Big Ten), while the Wildcats fell to 4-16 (1-9 Big Ten).
"I'm very pleased with our response in the clutch," Purdue head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer said. "We had to come back out, try to keep our focus and build our momentum. Our team is one that continues to fight back and we showed that tonight.
Freshman Joanna Lowry led the Boilermakers with 21 kills and senior Julie Doud tallied 15 kills. Junior Maegan Petersen and rookie Eryn Leach contributed 13 kills each. Doud led the defensive effort with 14 digs, while Petersen and junior Lori Knicker recorded 13.
Purdue got off to a quick start in Game 1, taking a 4-1 lead. Northwestern scored six unanswered points to take a 7-4 advantage. Purdue came back on an 8-5 run of its own and sealed a 15-9 victory.
In Game 2, Northwestern came out strong, taking a 6-2 lead. But the Boilermakers didn't give up and found a way to tie the game 8-all. A block assist from Petersen and Leach and a kill from sophomore Tiffany Yoskey gave Purdue a two-point advantage. Northwestern managed to get in two more kills before the Boilermakers unleashed five straight for the 15-10 win.
Purdue's momentum was short-lived as the Wildcats came back from the break and stopped the Boilermakers 15-5 in Game 3. Their winning ways continued as they overcame a 5-3 Purdue lead to win Game 4 15-8.
Northwestern got off to a 4-1 lead to start the rally-scored Game 5. Purdue came back on a 3-1 run to lessen the deficit to one point. The Boilermakers made good on two Wildcat errors and two kills from Lowry to take an 8-7 lead. Northwestern wouldn't quit just yet and managed a 3-2 run to knot the game 10-all. Purdue was unstoppable, though as it went on a 5-3 run to take the game and the match.
The Boilermakers will return to action when they travel to Champaign-Urbana to face Illinois on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. The match will be broadcast live on WAZY 1410 AM and www.purduesports.com.