northwestern
NORTHWESTERN NORTHWESTERN VOLLEYBALL MATCH NOTES
AUGUST AUG25 6pm
AUG26 4pm
SEPT1 11am
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SEPTEMBER
F R I D A Y, A U G U S T 2 5 • T H E C O R R A L • 6 p m . C T • T A M P A , F L O R I D A
NORTHWESTERN (0-0) vs. LSU (0-0) S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 2 6 • T H E C O R R A L • 1 p m . C T • T A M P A , F L O R I D A
SEPT23 7pm
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SEPT30 6pm
NORTHWESTERN (0-0) vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF (0-0) S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 2 6 • T H E C O R R A L • 4 p m . C T • T A M P A , F L O R I D A
THE OPENING SERVE
»» Northwestern opens up its 2017 volleyball campaign in the Sunshine State, facing off against host South Florida, as well as LSU and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
»» This season will be the second for the Wildcats under Head Coach Shane Davis, a two-time national champion for the men’s volleyball program at Loyola (Chicago).
»» The Wildcats feature seven newcomers on their roster, with the Class of 2021 ranked the 22nd-best in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com.
OCTOBER
»» Seniors Taylor Tashima and Symone Abbott will have shots at securing spots in the Northwestern re-
OCT6 7pm
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HOME
NORTHWESTERN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
NORTHWESTERN (0-0) at SOUTH FLORIDA (0-0) AUG26 1pm
SEPT20 6pm
@NUVBALL #B1GCATS
AWAY
NEUTRAL
RECORD BREAKDOWNS Overall Record: 0-0 Home 0-0; Away 0-0; Neutral 0-0 3-Set 0-0; 4-Set 0-0; 5-Set 0-0 Big Ten Record: 0-0 Home 0-0; Away 0-0; Neutral 0-0 3-Set 0-0; 4-Set 0-0; 5-Set 0-0
cord books in their final years in the purple and white ... Tashima currently ranks fifth in career assists, while Abbott has the 13th-most kills with one season left to go.
NEW FRIENDS, OLD FRIENDS Friday’s contest against South Florida marks Northwestern’s second meeting with the Bulls (also, a five-set loss in September 2013) ... Saturday will be the fifth meeting between the Wildcats and LSU, with Northwestern owning a 4-1 advantage in the historical matchup ... This weekend will be the first time the ‘Cats will match up with Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
WATCH ME, WATCH ME Northwestern’s match against South Florida will be televised via Facebook Live on USF Volleyball’s Facebook page.
ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA The Bulls are fresh off their best season since 2007, a 19-win campaign ... USF returns seven members of their 2016 squad, highlighted by senior setter Alex Mendoza (third in AAC in assists per set) ... The Bulls will feature 10 newcomers (five transfers and five firstyears) ... USF is led by sixth-year head coach Courtney Draper.
ABOUT LSU Led by 20-year head coach Fran Flory, LSU went 9-20 (4-14 SEC) in 2016 ... The Tigers return four of the top five kill producers from 2016, led by Gina Tillis (333) .. LSU will present three newcomers, including 6-foot-5 middle blocker/outside hitter Taylor Bannister.
ABOUT ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF UAPB, helmed by Dustin Sahlmann, will expect to keep
much of its net production from Kendalle Howard, who posted 198 kills and 28 blocks as a freshman for the Lady Lions ... Five members of their roster are from Canada ... Pine Bluff is nearby to Little Rock in Arkansas and UAPB is the second-oldest public institution in the state.
NOTICEABLE NEWCOMERS The Wildcats’ seven-member first-year class — comprised of Nia Robinson, Lexi Pitsas, Britt Bommer, Ivey Whalen, Danyelle Williams, Alana Walker, and Amy Wang — were ranked the 22nd-best in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com in May ... “Northwestern’s Class of 2021 rivals any nationwide in athleticism and competiveness and can be a difference-maker for the program,” PrepVolleyball.com wrote in its release. The Wildcats were one of 11 Big Ten teams ranked with a top-30 recruiting class — the most of any conference (next closest is the Pac-12 with six) ... The recruiting class is the first cohort conducted in full by the coaching staff led by Head Coach Shane Davis ... The class is the highest-ranked for Northwestern since the 18th-ranked class of 2018, comprised of Taylor Tashima, Symone Abbott, Gabrielle Hazen, and Katie Kniep.
YOU SAY HELLO, I SAY... Northwestern lost six letterwinners from 2016, including Maddie Slater, whose .307 career hitting percentage is second-best in NU history ... The ‘Cats also graduated Kayla Morin, who played in every match in her fouryear career in Evanston ... Despite the losses, North-
QUICK FACTS NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Location..............................................Evanston, Ill. Founded........................................................ 1851 Enrollment.................................................... 8,400 President...................................Morton O. Schapiro V.P. of Athletics and Recreation.............. Jim Phillips Senior Woman Administrator.................. Janna Blais Nickname..................................................Wildcats Abbreviation......................................................NU Color............................................................Purple Hex Code............................................ #59118e Conference................................................. Big Ten Permanent Facility...................... Welsh-Ryan Arena Temporary Facility............................ Beardsley Gym
VOLLEYBALL Head Coach.........................................Shane Davis Alma Mater..................... Loyola (Chicago), 2003 Record at NU.......................10-22 (2nd season) Career Record.................275-110 (14th season) Associate Head Coach............................. Erin Virtue Alma Mater.................................... Illinois, 2005 Years at NU...................................... 2nd season Assistant Coach...................................Kevin Moore Alma Mater...................................Juniata, 2002 Years at NU...................................... 2nd season Program Coordinator..............................Shari Davis Alma Mater..................... Loyola (Chicago), 2003 Volunteer Assistant Coach...................... Jeff Patton Alma Mater..................... Loyola (Chicago), 2013 Technical Coordinator.............................Brian Toron Alma Mater................................Delaware, 2015 Student Manager................................. Myles Miller Volleyball Office.............................(847) 491-4638 2016 Overall Record...........................10-22 (.313) Home................................................2-8 (.200) Away...............................................2-12 (.143) Neutral..............................................6-2 (.750) 2016 Big Ten Record/Finish...........3-17 (.150)/13th Letterwinners Returning/Lost...........................11/6 Starters Returning/Lost....................... 3 + Libero/3 Newcomers......................................................... 7 First Season of Competition............................ 1976 Overall Record............................ 680-685-5 (.498) Big Ten Record........................... 267-461-1 (.367) Last AVCA Ranking.......................24 (Oct. 6, 2014) Highest AVCA Ranking...................15 (Oct. 6, 1987) Highest AVCA Final Poll................. 12 (1984, 2005) B1G Tournament Championships..... 2 (1983, 1984) NCAA Tournament Appearances/Last...........8/2010
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Volleyball Contact........................ Preston Michelson Office Phone.............................(847) 467-3274 Cell Phone................................(305) 609-9630 Email........ [email protected] Mailing Address............Athletic Communications Northwestern University 1501 Central St. Evanston, IL 60208
western returns more than 50 percent in all of the main categories (kills, assists, digs, solo blocks, block assists, and service aces) ... The ‘Cats return 76 percent of their assists from 2016.
Twelve out of the 18 members on the Wildcat squad are either first-years or sophomores (67 percent).
LEADERSHIP 101 Four members of the Wildcat coaching staff (Shane Davis, Kevin Moore, Brian Toron, and Shari Davis) have been collegiate head coaches.
AN EYE ON THE RECORD BOOK Symone Abbott (kills-13th, kills per set-3rd) and Taylor Tashima (assists-5th, assists per set-4th) both are poised to etch their names into Northwestern history with productive senior seasons. With 119 more total attacks, Gabrielle Hazen will have enough to qualify for the career hitting percentage top-10 list ... Her mark of .277 would be good for seventh-place. Abbott needs 31 kills to move into 12th place (Alison Krumbein, 1,246), while Tashima needs 591 assists to advance to 4th place in the record book. Kills Years 2010-13 1985-88 2000-03 2004-07 1981-84 1980-83 1980-83 1989-92 1995-98 1986-89 1997-00 1991-94 2014- 2004-07 1986-89 1980-83 2007-10 1984-87 1988-91 1995-98 2013-16 1991-94 2011-14
The Big Ten Conference dominated the AVCA poll, with four teams in the top-10 and eight teams in the top-25.
GOOD-BETTER-BEST
YOUTH MOVEMENT
No. Name 1. Stephanie Holthus 2. Janine Makar 3. Erika Lange 4. Lindsay Anderson 5. Madelyn Meneghetti 6. Dawn Reig 7. Liz Douglass 8. Stacey Kammes 9. Jessica Holloway 10. Shelley Brzozowski 11. Carmen Burbach 12. Alison Krumbein 13. Symone Abbott 14. Courtnie Paulus 15. Stephanie Kammes 16. Pattijean McCahill 17. Sabel Moffett 18. Kathy Burns 19. Miriam Stariha 20. Melissa Doan 21. Kayla Morin 22. Molly Maloney 23. Katie Dutchman
B1G-TIME VOLLEYBALL
Kills 1,797 1,666 1,618 1,516 1,490 1,481 1,420 1,408 1,396 1,304 1,263 1,246 1,216 1,201 1,163 1,135 1,132 1,111 1,096 1,059 1,019 1,005 1,001
Nine of the 12 teams the Wildcats will play in their non-conference slate had records of .500 or better in 2016 ... that compares to only six of the 12 teams the 2016 ‘Cats played in non-conference finished with records at .500 or better.
THE HEIGHT OF THEIR POWERS Northwestern boasts 12 student-athletes who measure at 6-foot or taller ... Seven of those are 6-foot-2 or taller.
ERROR-FREE BALL The 2016 Wildcat squad only committed 571 hitting errors, the fewest in a single-season in program history ... Bested the previous mark (from 2012) by 26 errors.
WORK IN PROGRESS Northwestern’s volleyball squad (along with the women’s basketball team) will play their home matches in 2017 at historic Beardsley Gym at nearby Evanston Township High School due to the ongoing $110-million renovations of Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats will not play a home match until September 23, when they host Illinois in Big Ten competition.
FEELS LIKE SUMMER Taylor Tashima, Symone Abbott, and Allie Lindroth played in notable offseason programs over the summer ... Tashima played in the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team-Minneapolis program ... Abbott was selected to the CNT-Europe team that won the 12th Global Challenge in Croatia ... Lindroth was one of 14 student-athletes selected for the Big Ten Foreign Tour, featuring sightseeing, community service, and international competition with teams from Russia, Italy, and others.
#HOMEGROWN
Taylor Tashima is two total blocks away from 150 for her career ... Sarah Johnson needs 52 digs to surpass the 300 mark ... Symone Abbott needs 169 more total attacks to reach 3,501, which would tie her for the 10th-most in a Northwestern career.
Northwestern’s athletic department, in addition to its Chicago’s Big Ten Team branding, has embraced the #HOMEGROWN nature of many of its teams. Volleyball is no exception, as five student-athletes come from the Chicagoland area: »» Taylor Tashima (Wilmette, Ill.) »» Rachael Fara (Naperville, Ill.) »» Allie Lindroth (Plainfield, Ill.) »» Alana Walker (Chicago, Ill.) »» Danyelle Williams (Chicago, Ill.)
YOU GO, WE GO
A BIT ABOUT THE SKIP
MILESTONE MARKERS
Symone Abbott was the linchpin to Northwestern’s offense in 2016, as she amassed 11.69 attacks per set, which was 13th-most in the NCAA and tops in the Big Ten ... that mark was the second-most ever by a Northwestern junior.
Head Coach Shane Davis, a former standout and twotime National Champion with the men’s volleyball team at Loyola (Chicago) is entering his second year with the Wildcats ... His .750 winning percentage with the Ramblers is the sixth-best in NCAA men’s volleyball history among coaches with five or more seasons.
NUMERICAL ROSTER
PRO-NUN-CEE-A-SHUNS Tashima..................... tuh-SHEE-muh Fara.................................... FARE-uh Ehman................................. EE-mun Whalen............................. WHALE-in Pitsas.................................PITS-uhs Wang................... rhymes with “rang” Nussman.......................NOOSE-man Viscuso............................ VIS-coo-so Danyelle.............................. Danielle Shari................................. SHARE-ee
WHERE Y’ALL FROM? Illinois........................................... 5
Tashima, Lindroth, Fara, Williams, Walker
California....................................... 4
Johnson, Wang, Bommer, Tavarez
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 20
Name Taylor Tashima Symone Abbott Allie Lindroth Rachael Fara Emily Ehman Ivey Whalen Lexi Pitsas Gabrielle Hazen Sarah Johnson Amy Wang Britt Bommer Cassidy Nussman Olivia Viscuso Ashley Bush Danyelle Williams Kaitlin Tavarez Nia Robinson Alana Walker
Indiana.......................................... 4
Nussman, Viscuso No.
Kentucky....................................... 1 2 Bush
Michigan....................................... 1 Abbott
Wisconsin...................................... 1 Whalen
A NOTE ABOUT NU The preferred abbreviation for Northwestern is “NU,” not “NW,” “NWU,” or any variation thereof. Northwestern’s main logo is the “Block N” (pictured below). Please contact Preston Michelson (preston.michelson@ northwestern.edu) if you require vector format artwork.
Ht. 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-3 5-8 6-3 5-6 6-3 5-7 5-6 6-1 6-4 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-6 6-2 6-3
Cl. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. R-So. Fr. Fr.
Hometown/High School Wilmette, Ill./New Trier Northville, Mich./Northville Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South Eagle, Wis./Catholic Memorial Munster, Ind./Munster Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City Pasadena, Calif./Mayfield Palo Alto, Calif./Henry Gunn Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa Pearland, Texas/Pearland Arlington, Texas/Lamar Union, Ky./Ryle Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young Menlo Park, Calif./Menlo-Atherton Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
Ehman, Pitsas, Hazen, Robinson
Texas............................................. 2
Pos. S OH OH MB L OH L MB L L S OH MB OH OPP DS/L OH MH
11 14 5 4 8 9 3 12 7 18 1 17 13 20 10 6 15
Name Symone Abbott Britt Bommer Ashley Bush Emily Ehman Rachael Fara Gabrielle Hazen Sarah Johnson Allie Lindroth Cassidy Nussman Lexi Pitsas Nia Robinson Taylor Tashima Kaitlin Tavarez Olivia Viscuso Alana Walker Amy Wang Ivey Whalen Danyelle Williams
Pos. OH S OH L MB MB L OH OH L OH S DS/L MB MH L OH OPP
Ht. 6-1 6-1 5-11 5-8 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-4 5-6 6-2 6-0 5-6 6-0 6-3 5-6 6-3 6-1
Cl. Sr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. R-So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.
Hometown/High School Northville, Mich./Northville Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa Union, Ky./Ryle Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City Pasadena, Calif./Mayfield Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North Pearland, Texas/Pearland Munster, Ind./Munster Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral Wilmette, Ill./New Trier Menlo Park, Calif./Menlo-Atherton Arlington, Texas/Lamar Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young Palo Alto, Calif./Henry Gunn Eagle, Wis./Catholic Memorial Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young
COACHING STAFF Name Shane Davis Erin Davis Kevin Moore Shari Davis Jeff Patton Brian Toron
Position / Year at NU Head Coach / 2nd Associate Head Coach / 2nd Assistant Coach / 2nd Program Coordinator / 2nd Volunteer Assistant Coach / 1st Technical Coordinator / 1st
Alma Mater / Year Loyola (Chicago) / ‘03 Illinois / ‘05 Juniata / ‘02 Loyola (Chicago) ‘03 Loyola (Chicago) ‘13 Delaware ‘15
NORTHWESTERN WHEN... Home...................................................... 0-0 Away....................................................... 0-0 Neutral.................................................... 0-0 Against Big Ten Teams............................. 0-0 vs. AVCA Top-25...................................... 0-0 Against Unranked Teams.......................... 0-0 Three Sets............................................... 0-0 Four Sets................................................. 0-0 Five Sets................................................. 0-0 Won First Set........................................... 0-0 Lost First Set........................................... 0-0 Won First Two Sets................................... 0-0 Lost First Two Sets................................... 0-0 Split First Two Sets................................... 0-0 Leading in Kills........................................ 0-0 Trailing in Kills......................................... 0-0 Tied in Kills.............................................. 0-0 Leading in Blocks..................................... 0-0 Trailing in Blocks...................................... 0-0 Tied in Blocks.......................................... 0-0 Leading in Digs........................................ 0-0 Trailing in Digs......................................... 0-0 Tied in Digs............................................. 0-0 Leading in Attack Percentage................... 0-0 Trailing in Attack Percentage .................... 0-0 Hitting .400 or better................................ 0-0 Hitting .300-.399..................................... 0-0 Hitting .200-.299..................................... 0-0 Hitting under .200.................................... 0-0 Opponent hits under .200......................... 0-0 Logest Set Winning Streak............................0 Longest Set Losing Streak............................0 Current Set Streak....................................W3 Longest Match Winning Streak.....................0 Longest Match Losing Streak........................0 Current Match Streak................................W1 Current Home Streak.................................W1 Current Road Streak..................................W1 In August................................................. 0-0 In September........................................... 0-0 In October............................................... 0-0 In November............................................ 0-0 On Wednesdays....................................... 0-0 On Fridays............................................... 0-0 On Saturdays........................................... 0-0 On Sundays............................................. 0-0 On Weekends.......................................... 0-0 At Night................................................... 0-0 In the Day................................................ 0-0 Wearing Purple........................................ 0-0 Wearing Black......................................... 0-0 Wearing White......................................... 0-0 On BTN................................................... 0-0
THE LAST TIME... Defeated a ranked opponent...........................................Oct. 21, 2016, vs. #24 Purdue (3-1) Lost to a ranked opponent......................................... Oct. 25, 2016, at #15 Penn State (3-0) Defeated a top-10 opponent....................................... Oct. 10, 2015, vs. #3 Penn State (3-2) Defeated a top-5 opponent......................................... Oct. 20, 2015, vs. #3 Penn State (3-2) Won a five-set match....................................................... Sept. 16, 2016, vs. Syracuse (3-2) Lost a five-set match.................................................. Nov. 12, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin (3-2) Double-Double (kills and digs)........... Sept. 16, 2016, vs. Syracuse, Symone Abbott (14k, 18d) ........................................................Sept. 16, 2016, vs. Syracuse, Rafae Strobos (15k, 11d) Double-Double (digs and assists)........Nov. 19, 2016, vs. Maryland, Taylor Tashima (18d, 32a) Double-Double (kills and blocks)........Oct. 15, 2011, vs. Michigan, Katie Dutchman (10k, 11b) A player with 25 kills...........................Nov. 12, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin, Symone Abbott (26k) A player with 30 kills................................. Oct. 17, 1997, vs. Indiana, Jessica Holloway (32k) A player with 35 kills................................. Sept. 25, 1987, at Minnesota, Janine Makar (36k) 70+ team kills............................................................Nov, 17, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin (74k) A player hit .500 (min. 10 atts.).................. Nov. 26, 2016, at Rutgers, Gabrielle Hazen (.500) A player hit .600 (min. 10 atts.)..................Sept. 21, 2016, at Indiana, Gabrielle Hazen (.636) A player hit .700 (min. 10 atts.)...................Aug. 27, 2016, vs. Buffalo, Symone Abbott (.700) A player hit .800 (min. 10 atts.)................. Sept. 17, 1994, vs. Milwaukee, Kim Ludwig (.917) A player hit .900 (min. 10 atts.)................. Sept. 17, 1994, vs. Milwaukee, Kim Ludwig (.917) Team hit .400............................................................. Sept. 2, 2016, vs. Chattanooga (.416) Team hit .500................................................................... Sept. 18, 2016, vs. Towson (.689) A player with 30 digs..Sept. 5, 2015, vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Caroline Niedospial (31d) A player with 35 digs..........................................Sept. 5, 2008, at Dayton, Kate Nobilio (38d) Team with 80 digs......................................................Nov. 12, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin (85d) Team with 90 digs......................................................... Sept. 21, 2012, vs. Wisconsin (91d) A player with 60 assists...................... Nov. 12, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin, Taylor Tashima (61a) A player with 70 assists...................................... Nov. 28, 1997, vs. Purdue, Liz Renius (77a) A player with 80 assists........................................... Nov. 17, 1997, at Iowa, Liz Renius (83a) NORTHWESTERN DOUBLE-DOUBLES THIS SEASON No. Date Opponent Player (#)
Stats
SHANE DAVIS HEAD COACH @COACHSHANEDAVIS
LOYOLA (CHICAGO) ‘03
2nd SEASON AT NORTHWESTERN 14th SEASON OVERALL
WILD FACTS »» A former standout and a two-time National Champion head coach for the men’s volleyball team at Loyola University Chicago, Davis was hired as the sixth head coach in Northwestern volleyball history on December 28, 2015. »» Finished his 12-year career helming the Ramblers with a career record of 265-88. He is the winningest coach, both in total wins and winning percentage, in Loyola history. »» His .750 winning percentage is the sixth-best in NCAA men’s volleyball history among coaches with five or more seasons. »» Led Loyola (Chicago)’s men’s volleyball team to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2014-15. »» After his first NCAA championship win in 2014, he was named AVCA Coach of the Year and Volleyball Magazine Coach of the Year. »» Davis is a native of Denver, Iowa. He is married to his wife, Andrea, and they have one daughter, Sydney.
COACHING CAREER »» In his first season in Evanston, he helped coach Symone Abbott to Honorable Mention All-Big Ten distinctions. »» Picked up his first Big Ten win, October 21, 2016, as the ‘Cats defeated No. 24 Purdue, 3-1, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. »» The Class of 2021, the first recruiting cohort conducted in full by Davis and his staff, was ranked the 22nd-best in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com ... That is the highest-ranked class since the Class of 2018 (Taylor Tashima, Symone Abbott, Gabrielle Hazen, and Katie Kniep) was ranked 18th in the nation. »» Northwestern went 4-0 in his first four contests as head coach, including three three-set sweeps. »» Became the head coach of Loyola (Chicago) as a 23-year-old after finishing a decorated playing career, becoming one of the youngest Division I coaches in NCAA history. »» Turned the Ramblers into a perenially-ranked program that went to three-straight national semifinals. Loyola’s winning percentage of .730 under Davis was almost 80 points better than the eight years of Loyola volleyball before he started as head coach. »» Davis won four Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Coach of the Year honors (2005, 2006, 2010,
2014). »» Mounted a 57-3 record in his last two seasons at Loyola, including a 28-2 record in conference play. »» The Ramblers posted a winning record in each of his 12 seasons at the helm. They finished first or second in the MIVA Conference eight out of his 12 seasons. »» Davis coached 12 All-Americans at Loyola, including both the 2015 AVCA National Player of the Year and the 2015 AVCA Newcomer of the Year. »» He has also mentored 43 All-MIVA selections, including four MIVA Players of the Year. »» He built a culture of success off the court, as 13 Ramblers were named to the MIVA Academic All-Conference team in his final year at Rogers Park.
PLAYING CAREER »» Davis played collegiately as a setter at Loyola from 2000 to 2003. He set a school record for career assists (5,337) and reached second place on the school leaderboard in career digs (723). »» Led the Ramblers in assists for every year (2000-03) of his playing career. »» He was named Loyola’s 2003 Male Athlete of the Year after a season in which he earned First Team All-MIVA recognition for the third time, as well as Second Team All-America honors. »» He is still listed among the Loyola leaderboards for assists, digs, and aces in a single match.
COACHING CAREER YEAR TEAM RECORD CONF. CONF. FINISH 2004 Loyola (M) 20-8 12-4 2nd 2005 Loyola (M) 26-3 15-1 1st 2006 Loyola (M) 23-7 11-1 1st 2007 Loyola (M) 23-7 8-4 T-3rd 2008 Loyola (M) 17-14 7-5 4th 2009 Loyola (M) 17-10 5-5 4th 2010 Loyola (M) 20-6 10-2 2nd 2011 Loyola (M) 21-8 9-3 2nd 2012 Loyola (M) 19-12 8-4 3rd 2013 Loyola (M) 22-10 10-4 1st 2014 Loyola (M) 29-1 14-0 1st 2015 Loyola (M) 28-2 14-2 2nd 2016 Northwestern 10-22 3-17 13th TOTALS 275-110 (.714) 126-52 (.708)
TROPHY CASE »» »» »» »» »»
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP (2014, 2015) AVCA COACH OF THE YEAR (2014) VOLLEYBALL MAGAZINE COACH OF THE YEAR (2014) MIVA COACH OF THE YEAR (2005, 2006, 2010, 2014) MIVA CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT TITLE (2013, 2014, 2015)
WILD FACTS
»» Tashima has been the starting setter for Northwestern since being a true freshman in 2014.
»» Currently ranks fifth all-time in assists in program history with 3,044 for her career ... Has the fourth-highest career assist per set clip (9.42).
»» In 2015, she was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention.
»» In February 2015, Tashima was diagnosed with a benign tumor in her »» »»
orbital cavity, a career- and eyesight-threatening malady. She had a successful operation to remove the tumor. In 2014, she led all Big Ten freshmen in double-doubles. Was a four-year starter for New Trier — about five miles away from Northwestern.
2016 (JUNIOR)
»» Finished the season with 1,008 assists, the ninth-most
TAYLOR TASHIMA SENIOR | 6-0 WILMETTE, ILL. NEW TRIER SETTER
ever by a Northwestern junior.
»» Handed out a career high 61 assists in a five-set match against No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12).
1
»» Slid into fifth-place in the Northwestern record
»» »» »» »»
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills Attempts Hitting Percentage Service Aces Assists Total Blocks Digs
14, vs. Indiana (Oct. 25, 2014) 31 (2x), last vs. Michigan (Oct. 31, 2014) .833, at Western Kentucky (Sept. 11, 2015) 5, vs. Purdue (Oct. 21, 2016) 61, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) 7, at Iowa (Oct. 28, 2016) 20, vs. Purdue (Oct. 24, 2014)
»» »» »» »» »» »»
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
»»
»» »»
books for assists in her career-high 61 assist performance against No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12) ... Moved past Andrea Proos in the top-10 list. Surpassed Madalyn Shalter for 6th against Illinois (10/5). Moved past Kelli Meyer for 7th in the home-opener against Penn State (9/25). Passed Jackie Nuñez for eighth against Ole Miss at the Lipscomb Invitational (9/10). Cracked the top-10 list with her 33rd and final assist of the match against Buffalo to get to 2,156 for her career (8/27). Had a season high 18 digs in a threeset win over Maryland (11/19). Recorded a career high seven blocks at Iowa (10/28). Served a career high five aces in a win over No. 24 Purdue, including three in a row in the first set (10/21). Put down a season-high six kills at Lipscomb (9/9). Set a season high with 16 digs against Virginia Tech (9/9). Posted a 49-assist match in the Cavalier Classic championship against Virginia (8/27). Opened the season with a 40-assist performance against George Washington (8/26) ... Led a Northwestern offense that hit .494 against the Colonials, the fourth-highest mark in program history and best since 1998. Named to the Academic All-Big Ten team after the conclusion of the season. In her offseason, participated in the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team-Minneapolis training program.
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE 2014 104 28 131 1.26 62 315 .219 871 8.38 15 0.14 24 232 2.23 1 2015 107 31 92 0.86 24 213 .319 1165 10.89 15 0.14 34 232 2.17 1 2016 112 32 81 0.72 34 196 .240 1008 9.00 29 0.26 26 238 2.13 0 2017 TOTAL 323 91 304 0.94 120 724 .254 3044 9.42 59 0.18 84 702 2.17 2
BS 4 6 8
BA TB B/S BE 43 47 0.45 6 47 53 0.50 15 40 48 0.43 13
BHE PTS PTS/S 15 171.5 1.65 22 136.5 1.28 12 138.0 1.23
18 130 148 0.46 34 49 446.0 1.38
WILD FACTS
»» Is third all-time in Northwestern history with 3.63 kills per set and is 13th »» »» »»
with 1,216 total kills ... A senior seasion with similar kill numbers will put her in the top-five in NU history. Abbott is one of only 23 players in program history to join the 1,000-plus kills club. Coming off one of her strongest seasons in the purple and white, Abbott was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2016 after picking up 4.10 kills per set, fifth-best in the country and 41st in the nation. Has ranked in the top-five in kills per set in the Big Ten in the last two seasons.
2016 (JUNIOR)
»» All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. »» Accumulated 459 kills, the third-most for a Wildcat junior in program
SYMONE ABBOTT SENIOR | 6-1 NORTHVILLE, MICH. NORTHVILLE OUTSIDE HITTER
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CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills Attempts Hitting Percentage Service Aces Assists Total Blocks Digs
26, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) 72, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) .700, vs. Buffalo (Aug. 27, 2016) 3, vs. Buffalo (Aug. 27, 2016) 2 (3x), last at Minnesota (Oct. 9, 2016) 4, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) 18, vs. Syracuse (Sept. 16, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
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history ... Her 4.10 kills per set clip was fourth-best in the Big Ten, in the top-41 in the NCAA, and was the sixth-best mark in Northwestern history ... She led the ‘Cats in kills in every match. Was the linchpin of the NU offense, amassing 1,339 total attacks in 2016, the second-most ever by a Wildcat junior (trailing only Stephanie Holthus’s mark of 1,350) ... Her 11.96 attacks per set was 13th most in the NCAA, while her 1,339 attacks was in the top-30. She was also a conference leader, as her 11.96 attacks per set clip was tops in the Big Ten ... Her 503.5 points were fifth-best in the Big Ten. Recorded her 1,000th career kill on Oct. 1 against Iowa ... became the 23rd player in program history to reach the milestone. Set new career highs in kills (26), attempts (72) and blocks (4) in a five-set match vs. No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12). Tied a career high with three blocks at Iowa (10/28). Set a new career high with 18 digs against Syracuse at the UNI Tournament (9/16). Named to the Dayton Invitational All-Tournament Team ... Set season highs in kills, attempts, blocks and digs at Dayton with new career highs coming in attempts and digs in that match (9/3) ... Registered a career high two assists against Chattanoooga (9/2). Hit 14-for-20 with no errors in the Wildcats’ sweep of Buffalo (8/27) ... Opened the year with a 22-kill performance in just three sets against George Washington (8/26). In the offseason following her junior season, she participated in the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team-Europe program, in which she played for the team that won the 12th Global Challenge in Croatia.
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2014 116 31 370 3.19 175 978 .199 2015 107 31 387 181 181 1015 .203 2016 112 32 459 4.10 197 1339 .196 2017 TOTAL 335 84 1216 3.63 553 3332 .199
A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE 1 0.01 0 0.00 0 47 0.41 1 3 0.03 3 0.03 15 58 0.54 5 16 0.14 22 0.20 70 189 1.69 31
BS BA TB B/S BE 6 29 35 0.30 4 8 28 36 0.34 16 11 23 34 0.30 9
20 0.06 25 0.07 85 294 0.88 37 25 80 105 0.31 29
BHE 0 2 1
PTS PTS/S 390.5 3.37 412.0 3.85 503.5 4.50
3 1306.0 3.90
WILD FACTS
»» As a role player in 2016, Lindroth amassed 0.71 kills per set, the most by a returning non-starter for the 2017 campaign.
»» Lindroth is a native of Plainfield, Illinois, one of five #HOMEGROWN players on the volleyball squad (Taylor Tashima, Rachael Fara, Danyelle Williams, Alana Walker).
2016 (FIRST-YEAR)
»» Tied a career-high with four kills and set a new career high with 17 attempts at Illinois with all of them coming in one set (10/15).
»» Made collegiate debut at Dayton (9/3) ... Registered four kills and hit .375 in her first match to go along with three digs and a block.
ALLIE LINDROTH SOPHOMORE | 6-2 PLAINFIELD, ILL. PLAINFIELD NORTH OUTSIDE HITTER
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CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills 4 (2x), last at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016) Attempts 17, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016) Hitting Percentage .375, at Dayton (Sept. 3, 2016) Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks 1 (3x), last vs. Virginia Tech (Sept. 9, 2016) Digs 3, at Dayton (Sept. 3, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2016 21 11 15 0.7 9 61 .098 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 5 0.24 5 1 2 3 0.14 1 0 17.0 0.81 2017 TOTAL 21 11 15 0.7 9 61 .098 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 5 0.24 5 1 2 3 0.14 1 0 17.0 0.81
WILD FACTS
»» One of three juniors on the roster — and one of only five upperclassmen — Fara increased her blocks per set rate to 0.39 in 2016.
»» Fara is a native of Naperville, Illinois, one of five #HOMEGROWN players on the volleyball squad (Taylor Tashima, Allie Lindroth, Danyelle Williams, Alana Walker).
2016 (SOPHOMORE)
»» Notched a season-high four kills and hit at a season-high .375 clip against No. 1 Minnesota (10/9).
»» Notched a career-high two aces at Ohio State (9/28). »» Served her first ace of the season in the home-opener against Penn State (9/25).
»» Set six season highs at Indiana, and notched career highs in assists and digs (9/21).
»» Made season debut in Northwestern’s three-
RACHAEL FARA
set sweep over Chattanooga (9/2).
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JUNIOR | 6-3 NAPERVILLE, ILL. BENET ACADEMY MIDDLE BLOCKER
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills Attempts Hitting Percentage Service Aces Assists Total Blocks Digs
9, at Minnesota (Sept. 30, 2015) 16, at Minnesota (Sept. 30, 2015) .375, at Minnesota (Sept. 30, 2015) 2 (2x), last at Ohio State (Sept. 28, 2016) 2 (2x), last at Indiana (Sept. 21, 2016) 6, vs. Ohio State (Oct. 9, 2015) 5, at Indiana (Sept. 21, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2015 29 12 38 1.31 15 89 .258 2016 28 13 19 0.68 13 56 .107 2017 TOTAL 57 25 57 1.00 28 145 .200
A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 3 0.10 2 0.07 9 4 0.14 0 4 5 9 0.31 4 1 46.5 1.60 2 0.07 4 0.14 9 13 0.46 0 2 9 11 0.39 3 0 29.5 1.05 5 0.09 6 0.11 18 17 0.30 0
6 14 20 0.35 7
1 76.0 1.33
WILD FACTS
»» Entering her second year as a Wildcat, Ehman averaged 0.88 digs per set in 2016.
»» Her uncle, Dan Dakich, played basketball at Indiana from 1981-85 and now broadcasts college basketball for ESPN ... Ehman is enrolled in the prestigious Medill School of Journalism.
2016 (FIRST-YEAR) »» »» »» »»
EMILY EHMAN SOPHOMORE | 5-8 BLOOMINGTON, IND. BLOOMINGTON SOUTH LIBERO
Played in all four sets of Northwestern’s win over No. 24 Purdue (10/21). Notched her first career kill on her first career attempt at Illinois (10/15. Registered two digs in a win over Syracuse at the UNI Tournament (9/16. Made collegiate debut at Dayton (9/3).
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CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills 1, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016) Attempts 1 (2x), last vs. Purdue (Oct. 21, 2016) Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs 4, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2016 16 9 1 0.06 0 2 .500 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 14 0.88 2 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 1.0 0.06 2017 TOTAL 16 9 1 0.06 0 2 .500 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 14 0.88 2 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 1.0 0.06
WILD FACTS
»» A three-time Wisconsin state champion at Catholic Memorial and a PrepVol»»
leyball.com Senior Ace, Whalen is one of seven newcomers on the Wildcats roster. Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Ivey is another player who will come here with a championship under her belt after having recently won the 2016 Wisconsin State Championship. With her size and athleticism, Ivey will be an immediate asset to our program. She has a great all-around skill set and will make our gym better right away.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played all four years and was a captain for head coach Ted Schulte … The
IVEY WHALEN
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FIRST-YEAR | 6-3 EAGLE, WIS. CATHOLIC MEMORIAL OUTSIDE HITTER
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Crusaders won the State Championship in 2014, 2015 and 2016 … State Championship Match MVP in 2015 and 2016 ... Classic 8 Conference Leader in kills and blocks for 2014, 2015, and 2016. PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace … Under Armour High School All-American … Named to Under Armour Watch List in 2016 … AllState Second Team 2015 … 2017 PrepVolleyball.com All-American … All-Southern Section Division 1 Selection. All-Tournament Player Award for the 2015 Wisconsin State Tournament … All-State Honorable Mention 2014 … All-State First Team in 2016 … All-Conference First Team in 2016 … All-Area Honorable Mention 2014 … All-Conference Honorable Mention 2014. Made honor roll all four years … National Honor Society member.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» A two-time sectional champ at Munster, Pitsas is one of seven newcomers on the Wildcats squad.
»» Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Lexi is a fast and athletic libero that has great court presence and instinct. She is a lot of fun to watch, with still a lot of room to grow as a volleyball player which is exciting. Lexi plays for one of the top junior clubs in Indiana, so she is used to the level of competition that we expect in our gym and we think she will settle in right away.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Four-year letter winner, including two years as captain, under head coach
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LEXI PITSAS
7
FIRST-YEAR | 5-6 MUNSTER, IND. MUNSTER LIBERO
CAREER MATCH HIGHS
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Tracy Summers … Three-time team MVP for the Mustangs and finished her high school career with 1,275 digs, 1,737 serve receives, and 232 kills … Team went 121-26 during her tenure, won sectionals in 2014 and 2016, and was a semi-state finalist in 2013. Earned 2016 Second-Team Academic AllState plaudits and was named to the All-Conference Team three times (2014-16). PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace … Four-time scholar athlete award (2013-16) … Was an Indiana 4A North/South All-Star in 2015 … Received team Iron Man Award four times (2013-16). With her club team Epic United VBC, she was named to All-Tournament Teams in 2014 (USAV) and 2015 (AAU).
Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» Hazen’s .277 career hitting percentage is the eighth-best in Northwestern history among Wildcats with 800 or more total attacks.
»» Has entered the top-10 list in single-season hitting percentage by class twice, including the second-best mark by a Wildcat sophomore (.300).
»» She leads all returners with 0.79 blocks per set in 2016 and is second
among returners with 467 total attacks in 2016 (trailing only Symone Abbott).
2016 (JUNIOR)
»» A consistent member of the Wildcat squad, Hazen mounted the
»»
GABRIELLE HAZEN
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SENIOR | 6-3 COLUMBIA CITY, IND. COLUMBIA CITY MIDDLE BLOCKER
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CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills Attempts Hitting Percentage Service Aces Assists Total Blocks Digs
13, vs. Milwaukee (Sept. 20, 2015) 31, vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016) .692, vs. Chattanooga (Sept. 2, 2016) 1 (3x), last at Michigan State (Nov. 18, 2015) 1 (2x), last at Rutgers (Sept. 25, 2015) 8 (2x), last vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) 3 (3x), last vs. Iowa (Oct. 18, 2015)
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SEASON MATCH HIGHS
second-best hitting percentage on the squad (.268), and the eighth-best by a Wildcat junior in program history ... Third on the team with 467 total attacks. Tied a career high with eight blocks in a five-set match against No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12). Registered seven blocks at Iowa in an effort that saw the team record 14 total (10/28). Had three solo and four total blocks in a win over No. 24 Purdue (10/21). Hit at a .444 clip against Penn State to raise her season average above .300 (9/25). Named to the All-Tournament Team at the UNI Tournament ... Set down a season high 12 kills on a career-high 31 attempts against North Dakota State (9/16). Notched a season-high 11 kills on a season-high 28 attempts vs. Ole Miss (9/10). Set and tied a season-high with seven blocks in consecutive matches at Dayton and vs. Ole Miss (9/9-10). Hit at a career high .692 clip vs. Chattanooga (9-for-13) in the Wildcats’ opening match sweep at the Dayton Invitational (9/2). Recorded double-digit kills with 10 for the second time in the Cavalier Classic championship at Virginia (8/27). Began the season with a 10for- 14 performance (.571) in a sweep of George Washington (8/26).
Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE 2014 6 5 1 0.17 4 7 -.429 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0 0.00 0 2015 89 27 186 2.09 64 407 .300 2 0.02 3 0.03 16 25 0.28 0 2016 112 32 214 1.91 89 467 .268 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 14 0.13 0 2017 TOTAL 207 64 401 1.94 157 881 .277 2 0.01 3 0.01 18 39 0.19 0
BS BA TB B/S BE 0 0 0 0.00 0 20 75 95 1.07 14 15 73 88 0.79 13 35 148 183 0.88 27
BHE PTS PTS/S 0 1.0 0.17 0 246.5 2.77 1 265.5 2.37 1
513.0
2.48
WILD FACTS
»» The starting libero for the second half of her first year in Evanston, Johnson »»
is the only underclassmen starter returning in 2017 ... Saw the most playing time of any member of her class. Led the ‘Cats in digs in 11 of the last 13 matches of the season.
2016 (FIRST-YEAR)
»» Transitioned into the starting libero role at mid-season ... Led the team with 248 digs and 2.70 digs per set.
»» Set new career highs with two aces against Ohio State (11/18) and seven assists against Maryland (11/19) and Penn State (11/25).
»» Notched a career high 29 digs in a five-set match against No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12).
»» Handed out a then career-high three assists in a win over No. 24 Purdue (10/21).
SARAH JOHNSON SOPHOMORE | 5-7 PASADENA, CALIF. MAYFIELD LIBERO
»» Served the first ace of her career at No. 1 Minnesota (10/9). »» Started at libero and set a new career high with 18 digs at UNI (9/17). »» Matched her then-career highs with two digs and seven digs at Lipscomb
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(9/9).
»» Set a new career high with seven digs at Dayton (9/3). »» Played all four sets of Northwestern’s championship match against Virginia at the Cavalier Classic, registering three digs and two assists (8/27).
»» Made collegiate debut against George Washington in the Wildcats’ season-opening sweep (8/26) ... Tallied two digs in the match.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts 2, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces 2, vs. Ohio State (Nov. 18, 2016) Assists 7 (2x), last at Penn State (Nov. 25, 2016) Total Blocks N/A Digs 29, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2016 92 28 0 0.00 2 6 -.333 55 0.60 6 0.07 35 248 2.70 31 0 0 0 0.00 1 0 6.0 0.07 2017 TOTAL 92 28 0 0.00 2 6 -.333 55 0.60 6 0.07 35 248 2.70 31 0 0 0 0.00 1 0 6.0 0.07
WILD FACTS
»» Wang is one of seven newcomers on the squad and one of four California natives.
»» Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Amy is another great libero that is joining our program. She will add great court awareness, attitude, and presence to our gym. Her experience with the U.S.A. High Performance program is a valuable asset for her and will be great for our program.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played for four years, including two years as a captain … Helped lead the »» »»
AMY WANG FIRST-YEAR | 5-6 PALO ALTO, CALIF. HENRY GUNN LIBERO
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Titans to a league championship in 2017 … Led team in kills senior year; top-three in league in assists, digs, and aces junior year. All-League junior and senior year … Team MVP for Henry Gunn senior year. With Red Rock Volleyball Club, won NCVA and came in third at PNQ 18-Open Division in 2017 … 2016 USA Junior A1 Red Team. Recipient of chemistry honors award.
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CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» Wang is one of seven newcomers on the squad and one of three California natives.
»» Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Britt is a very experienced and successful setter. She is someone who can make plays with her physical abilities and is benefited greatly by her understanding of the game. We’re very excited to have her as a part of our program.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played volleyball four years under head coach Hayley Blanchard … Named »» »»
BRITT BOMMER FIRST-YEAR | 6-1 MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF. MIRA COSTA SETTER
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11
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All-Area and All-Conference in 2015 … The Mustangs were the Bay League Champions in 2015. Named to the All-Tournament Team at the Anna Kang Invitational and the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions. PrepVolleyball.com All-American … Daily Breeze HS Co-Player of the Year … All CIF Southern Section Division 1 Selection. Competed for Sunshine club team for four years … Also played beach volleyball. Member of Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholars, and National Youth Leadership Forum: Engineering & Technology ... Was a People to People ambassador to Australia.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» One of three juniors on the roster ... Made collegiate debut in 2016.
2016 (SOPHOMORE)
»» Made first-career appearance in the Wildcats’ win at Buffalo (8/27) ... Recorded first block assist in the contest.
CASSIDY NUSSMAN JUNIOR | 6-4 PEARLAND, TEXAS PEARLAND OUTSIDE HITTER
12
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts 2, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016) Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks 1, at Buffalo (Aug. 27, 2016) Digs 1, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2015 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2016 13 10 0 0.00 1 3 -.333 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 1 0.08 0 0 1 1 0.08 0 0 0.5 0.04 2017 TOTAL 13 10 0 0.00 1 3 -.333 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 1 0.08 0 0 1 1 0.08 0 0 0.5 0.04
WILD FACTS
»» One of four sophomores for Northwestern returning for their second season in Evanston ... One of two Texas natives on the squad.
2016 (FIRST-YEAR)
»» Her 0.56 blocks per set were the most by a Wildcats non-starter ... Appeared in 25 sets over 12 matches.
»» Notched a career-high four kills against North Dakota State on a career-high .222 hitting clip (9/16).
»» Had a significant impact vs. Ole Miss, registering three kills, 11 attempts and six blocks - all career-highs (9/10).
»» Made first career appearance in the season-opening win over George Washington (8/26) ... Recorded first career kill, attempt, and dig in that match.
OLIVIA VISCUSO SOPHOMORE | 6-0 ARLINGTON, TEXAS LAMAR MIDDLE BLOCKER
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CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills 4, vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016) Attempts 11, vs. Ole Miss (Sept. 10, 2016) Hitting Percentage .222, vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016) Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks 6, vs. Ole Miss (Sept. 10, 2016) Digs 1 (2x), last vs. Syracuse (Sept. 16, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2016 25 12 10 0.40 6 35 .114 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 2 0.08 0 1 13 14 0.56 1 0 17.5 0.70 2017 TOTAL 25 12 10 0.40 6 35 .114 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 2 0.08 0 1 13 14 0.56 1 0 17.5 0.70
WILD FACTS
»» One of three juniors on the roster ... Made collegiate debut in 2016.
2016 (SOPHOMORE)
»» Did not appear in a match due to injury.
ASHLEY BUSH JUNIOR | 5-11 UNION, KY. RYLE SETTER
14
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills 9, vs. Michigan (Oct. 30, 2015) Attempts 27, vs. Michigan (Oct. 30, 2015) Hitting Percentage .111, vs. Michigan (Oct. 30, 2015) Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks 1 (2x), last vs. Illinois (Nov. 4, 2015) Digs 3, vs. Michigan (Oct. 30, 2015)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2015 4 8 15 1.88 15 53 .000 2016 - - - - - - - 2017 TOTAL 4 8 15 1.88 15 53 .000
A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 1 0.13 0 0.00 0 5 0.63 0 1 1 2 0.25 1 0 16.5 2.06 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 0.13 0 0.00 0 5 0.63 0 1 1 2 0.25 1 0 16.5 2.06
WILD FACTS
»» Williams is one of seven newcomers on the squad and is the daughter of »»
NBA veteran Aaron Williams, who played for 10 different teams from 19932008. Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Amy is another great libero that is joining our program. She will add great court awareness, attitude, and presence to our gym. Her experience with the U.S.A. High Performance program is a valuable asset for her and will be great for our program.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played four years of volleyball under head coach Jamie Walters … Helped »»
DANYELLE WILLIAMS FIRST-YEAR | 6-1 CHICAGO, ILL. WHITNEY YOUNG OPPOSITE
15
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lead Dolphins to a city, conference, and regional championship … Played with fellow recruit Alana Walker. Named a Senior Ace by PrepVolleyball. com. Also played four years of varsity basketball … Led the Dolphin basketball team to a Regional Championship and was selected All-State. Member of the Honor Roll.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» Redshirted her first year in Evanston ... One of four California natives on the squad.
»» Her 264 total attempts in 2016 are the most by a returning non-starter.
2016 (REDSHIRT FIRST-YEAR)
»» Made first career start against North Dakota State and tallied a career-high 17 digs (9/16).
»» Notched a then-career-high eight digs vs. Ole Miss (9/10). »» Made first collegiate appearance at Dayton (9/3) ... Registered six digs in that match.
KAITLIN TAVAREZ REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE | 5-6 MENLO PARK, CALIF. MENLO-ATHERTON DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST/LIBERO
17
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts 1 (2x), last vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces 1 (3x), last vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016) Assists 4, vs. Xavier (Sept. 3, 2016) Total Blocks N/A Digs 17, vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2015 4 8 15 1.88 15 53 .000 2016 - - - - - - - 2017 TOTAL 4 8 15 1.88 15 53 .000
A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 1 0.13 0 0.00 0 5 0.63 0 1 1 2 0.25 1 0 16.5 2.06 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 0.13 0 0.00 0 5 0.63 0 1 1 2 0.25 1 0 16.5 2.06
WILD FACTS
»» The Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year winner and Indiana Volleyball »»
Player of the Year, Robinson is poised to join the Northwestern lineup as a promising young player. Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Nia has all the skill and athleticism needed to be successful at the college level, and she has shown that throughout her club and high school career. She has a big-time leadership role on her club and high school teams, and has experienced championship-level success, with the most recent being the 2016 Indiana State Championship. She’s exceptionally explosive and controls the ball well, which is a must for every outside hitter we bring in.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played varsity volleyball four years and was named team captain senior year under head coach Jean Kesterson ... Cathedral record holder in kills.
NIA ROBINSON FIRST-YEAR | 6-2 INDIANAPOLIS, IND. CATHEDRAL OUTSIDE HITTER
»» Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year winner … Indiana Volleyball Player of
18
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
»» »» »»
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the Year … Marion County Athletic Association Indianapolis Player of the Year. The Fighting Irish were 2014 state finalists, 2015 state and national champions, and 2016 state champions. Named AVCA/Under Armour, MaxPreps, and PrepVolleyball All-American … 2017 PrepVolleyball.com Academic All-American. 4A All-State player in 2015 and 2016 … All-City in 2014, 2015, and 2016 … Competed in 2015 and 2016 High School All-Star Game. Competed for Munciana club team for four years … Named AAU All American … Named 2017 AAU 18 Open National Championship MVP after helping lead Munciana to a title. Twice named AVCA/ MaxPreps.com Indiana Player of the Week. Made High Honor Roll every semester … National Honor Society.
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» One of seven newcomers and one of two Whitney Young grads on the Wildcat rosters, Walker provides size up front.
»» She is the daughter of former NBA champion Antoine Walker. »» Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Alana is an extremely dynamic volleyball player who moves exceptionally well. We were really struck by her great blocking instincts and are looking forward to watching her develop. She is a natural leader and a natural winner and we are very excited for her future.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played four years and was named
ALANA WALKER FIRST-YEAR | 6-3 CHICAGO, ILL. WHITNEY YOUNG MIDDLE HITTER
20
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»» »» »»
team captain under head coach Jamie Walters … Helped lead Dolphins to a city, conference, and regional championship. PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace … JVA Watch List … 2016 Illinois All-Star Team Captain … Played with fellow Wildcat Danyelle Williams. Beverly Review MVP … Named Captain of Illinois High School All-Star Team. Played for 1st Alliance club team for three years … Qualified for nationals. Honor Roll … National Honor Society.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
2017 SCHEDULE AND RESULTS DATE OPPONENT Aug. 25 South Florida Aug. 26 LSU Aug. 26 Arkansas - Pine Bluff Sept. 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 2
South Carolina Duke UNCW
Sept. 8 Sept. 9 Sept. 9
Milwaukee Army DePaul
Sept. 15 Sept. 16 Sept. 16
Seton Hall Bowling Green VCU
Sept. 20 Sept. 23 Sept. 29 Sept. 30 Oct. 6 Oct. 8 Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 20 Oct. 21 Oct. 25 Oct. 28 Nov. 1 Nov. 4 Nov. 10 Nov. 11 Nov. 17 Nov. 19 Nov. 22 Nov. 24
Purdue* Illinois* Rutgers* Penn State* Indiana* Purdue* Maryland* Ohio State* Nebraska* Iowa* Rutgers* Wisconsin* Illinois* Michigan State* Michigan* Michigan State* Minnesota* Wisconsin* Nebraska* Maryland*
LOCATION USF TOURNAMENT Tampa, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Tampa, Fla. DUKE TOURNAMENT Durham, N.C. Durham, N.C. Durham, N.C. DePAUL TOURNAMENT Chicago, Ill. Chicago, Ill. Chicago, Ill. VCU TOURNAMENT Richmond, Va. Richmond, Va. Richmond, Va. West Lafayette, Ind. Evanston, Ill. Piscataway, N.J. University Park, Pa. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Lincoln, Neb. Iowa City, Iowa Evanston, Ill. Madison, Wis. Champaign, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Ann Arbor, Mich. East Lansing, Mich. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. College Park, Md.
TIME 6 p.m. 1 p.m. 4 p.m. 11 a.m. 6 p.m. 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 12 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m.
Home matches are listed in bold. All home matches will be played at Evanston Township High School during the complete renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena. * - Big Ten match All times are in CST and are subject to change. The schedule at NUsports.com is always the most up-to-date.
NORTHWESTERN TV/RADIO ROSTER
TAYLOR TASHIMA SR • S • 6-0 WILMETTE, ILL.
IVEY WHALEN FR • S • 6-3 EAGLE, WIS.
BRITT BOMMER FR • S • 6-1
MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF.
1
SYMONE ABBOTT
SR • OH • 6-1 NORTHVILLE, MICH.
6
LEXI PITSAS
11
CASSIDY NUSSMAN
FR • L • 5-6 MUNSTER, IND.
JR • OH • 6-4 PEARLAND, TEXAS
KAITLIN TAVAREZ
R-SO • DS/L • 5-6 MENLO PARK, CALIF.
2
ALLIE LINDROTH
7
GABRIELLE HAZEN
SR • OH • 6-2 PLAINFIELD, ILL.
SR • MB • 6-3 COLUMBIA CITY, IND.
12
OLIVIA VISCUSO
17
NIA ROBINSON
SO • MB • 6-0 ARLINGTON, TEXAS
FR • OH • 6-2 INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
3
RACHAEL FARA
8
SARAH JOHNSON
JR • MB • 6-3 NAPERVILLE, ILL.
SO • L • 5-7 PASADENA, CALIF.
4
EMILY EHMAN
9
AMY WANG
10
DANYELLE WILLIAMS
15
13
ASHLEY BUSH
14
18
ALANA WALKER
20
JR • S • 5-11 UNION, KY.
FR • MH • 6-3 CHICAGO, ILL.
SO • L • 5-8 BLOOMINGTON, IND.
FR • L • 5-6 PALO ALTO, CALIF.
FR • OPP • 6-1 CHICAGO, ILL.
5
AUGUST AUG25 6pm
AUG26 4pm
SEPT1 11am
SEPT1 6pm
SEPT2 11am
SEPT8 4:30pm
SEPT9 12pm
SEPT9 7:30pm
SEPT15 2:30pm
SEPT16 9:30am
SEPT16 6pm
SEPTEMBER
F R I D A Y, A U G U S T 2 5 • T H E C O R R A L • 6 p m . C T • T A M P A , F L O R I D A
NORTHWESTERN (0-0) vs. LSU (0-0) S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 2 6 • T H E C O R R A L • 1 p m . C T • T A M P A , F L O R I D A
SEPT23 7pm
SEPT29 6pm
SEPT30 6pm
NORTHWESTERN (0-0) vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF (0-0) S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 2 6 • T H E C O R R A L • 4 p m . C T • T A M P A , F L O R I D A
THE OPENING SERVE
»» Northwestern opens up its 2017 volleyball campaign in the Sunshine State, facing off against host South Florida, as well as LSU and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
»» This season will be the second for the Wildcats under Head Coach Shane Davis, a two-time national champion for the men’s volleyball program at Loyola (Chicago).
»» The Wildcats feature seven newcomers on their roster, with the Class of 2021 ranked the 22nd-best in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com.
OCTOBER
»» Seniors Taylor Tashima and Symone Abbott will have shots at securing spots in the Northwestern re-
OCT6 7pm
OCT8 1pm
OCT13 7pm
OCT14 7pm
OCT20 7pm
OCT21 7pm
OCT25 7pm
OCT28 7pm
NOVEMBER NOV1 7pm
NOV4 7pm
NOV10 6pm
NOV11 6pm
NOV17 7pm
NOV19 1pm
NOV22 7pm
NOV24 6pm
HOME
NORTHWESTERN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
NORTHWESTERN (0-0) at SOUTH FLORIDA (0-0) AUG26 1pm
SEPT20 6pm
@NUVBALL #B1GCATS
AWAY
NEUTRAL
RECORD BREAKDOWNS Overall Record: 0-0 Home 0-0; Away 0-0; Neutral 0-0 3-Set 0-0; 4-Set 0-0; 5-Set 0-0 Big Ten Record: 0-0 Home 0-0; Away 0-0; Neutral 0-0 3-Set 0-0; 4-Set 0-0; 5-Set 0-0
cord books in their final years in the purple and white ... Tashima currently ranks fifth in career assists, while Abbott has the 13th-most kills with one season left to go.
NEW FRIENDS, OLD FRIENDS Friday’s contest against South Florida marks Northwestern’s second meeting with the Bulls (also, a five-set loss in September 2013) ... Saturday will be the fifth meeting between the Wildcats and LSU, with Northwestern owning a 4-1 advantage in the historical matchup ... This weekend will be the first time the ‘Cats will match up with Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
WATCH ME, WATCH ME Northwestern’s match against South Florida will be televised via Facebook Live on USF Volleyball’s Facebook page.
ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA The Bulls are fresh off their best season since 2007, a 19-win campaign ... USF returns seven members of their 2016 squad, highlighted by senior setter Alex Mendoza (third in AAC in assists per set) ... The Bulls will feature 10 newcomers (five transfers and five firstyears) ... USF is led by sixth-year head coach Courtney Draper.
ABOUT LSU Led by 20-year head coach Fran Flory, LSU went 9-20 (4-14 SEC) in 2016 ... The Tigers return four of the top five kill producers from 2016, led by Gina Tillis (333) .. LSU will present three newcomers, including 6-foot-5 middle blocker/outside hitter Taylor Bannister.
ABOUT ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF UAPB, helmed by Dustin Sahlmann, will expect to keep
much of its net production from Kendalle Howard, who posted 198 kills and 28 blocks as a freshman for the Lady Lions ... Five members of their roster are from Canada ... Pine Bluff is nearby to Little Rock in Arkansas and UAPB is the second-oldest public institution in the state.
NOTICEABLE NEWCOMERS The Wildcats’ seven-member first-year class — comprised of Nia Robinson, Lexi Pitsas, Britt Bommer, Ivey Whalen, Danyelle Williams, Alana Walker, and Amy Wang — were ranked the 22nd-best in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com in May ... “Northwestern’s Class of 2021 rivals any nationwide in athleticism and competiveness and can be a difference-maker for the program,” PrepVolleyball.com wrote in its release. The Wildcats were one of 11 Big Ten teams ranked with a top-30 recruiting class — the most of any conference (next closest is the Pac-12 with six) ... The recruiting class is the first cohort conducted in full by the coaching staff led by Head Coach Shane Davis ... The class is the highest-ranked for Northwestern since the 18th-ranked class of 2018, comprised of Taylor Tashima, Symone Abbott, Gabrielle Hazen, and Katie Kniep.
YOU SAY HELLO, I SAY... Northwestern lost six letterwinners from 2016, including Maddie Slater, whose .307 career hitting percentage is second-best in NU history ... The ‘Cats also graduated Kayla Morin, who played in every match in her fouryear career in Evanston ... Despite the losses, North-
QUICK FACTS NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Location..............................................Evanston, Ill. Founded........................................................ 1851 Enrollment.................................................... 8,400 President...................................Morton O. Schapiro V.P. of Athletics and Recreation.............. Jim Phillips Senior Woman Administrator.................. Janna Blais Nickname..................................................Wildcats Abbreviation......................................................NU Color............................................................Purple Hex Code............................................ #59118e Conference................................................. Big Ten Permanent Facility...................... Welsh-Ryan Arena Temporary Facility............................ Beardsley Gym
VOLLEYBALL Head Coach.........................................Shane Davis Alma Mater..................... Loyola (Chicago), 2003 Record at NU.......................10-22 (2nd season) Career Record.................275-110 (14th season) Associate Head Coach............................. Erin Virtue Alma Mater.................................... Illinois, 2005 Years at NU...................................... 2nd season Assistant Coach...................................Kevin Moore Alma Mater...................................Juniata, 2002 Years at NU...................................... 2nd season Program Coordinator..............................Shari Davis Alma Mater..................... Loyola (Chicago), 2003 Volunteer Assistant Coach...................... Jeff Patton Alma Mater..................... Loyola (Chicago), 2013 Technical Coordinator.............................Brian Toron Alma Mater................................Delaware, 2015 Student Manager................................. Myles Miller Volleyball Office.............................(847) 491-4638 2016 Overall Record...........................10-22 (.313) Home................................................2-8 (.200) Away...............................................2-12 (.143) Neutral..............................................6-2 (.750) 2016 Big Ten Record/Finish...........3-17 (.150)/13th Letterwinners Returning/Lost...........................11/6 Starters Returning/Lost....................... 3 + Libero/3 Newcomers......................................................... 7 First Season of Competition............................ 1976 Overall Record............................ 680-685-5 (.498) Big Ten Record........................... 267-461-1 (.367) Last AVCA Ranking.......................24 (Oct. 6, 2014) Highest AVCA Ranking...................15 (Oct. 6, 1987) Highest AVCA Final Poll................. 12 (1984, 2005) B1G Tournament Championships..... 2 (1983, 1984) NCAA Tournament Appearances/Last...........8/2010
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Volleyball Contact........................ Preston Michelson Office Phone.............................(847) 467-3274 Cell Phone................................(305) 609-9630 Email........ [email protected] Mailing Address............Athletic Communications Northwestern University 1501 Central St. Evanston, IL 60208
western returns more than 50 percent in all of the main categories (kills, assists, digs, solo blocks, block assists, and service aces) ... The ‘Cats return 76 percent of their assists from 2016.
Twelve out of the 18 members on the Wildcat squad are either first-years or sophomores (67 percent).
LEADERSHIP 101 Four members of the Wildcat coaching staff (Shane Davis, Kevin Moore, Brian Toron, and Shari Davis) have been collegiate head coaches.
AN EYE ON THE RECORD BOOK Symone Abbott (kills-13th, kills per set-3rd) and Taylor Tashima (assists-5th, assists per set-4th) both are poised to etch their names into Northwestern history with productive senior seasons. With 119 more total attacks, Gabrielle Hazen will have enough to qualify for the career hitting percentage top-10 list ... Her mark of .277 would be good for seventh-place. Abbott needs 31 kills to move into 12th place (Alison Krumbein, 1,246), while Tashima needs 591 assists to advance to 4th place in the record book. Kills Years 2010-13 1985-88 2000-03 2004-07 1981-84 1980-83 1980-83 1989-92 1995-98 1986-89 1997-00 1991-94 2014- 2004-07 1986-89 1980-83 2007-10 1984-87 1988-91 1995-98 2013-16 1991-94 2011-14
The Big Ten Conference dominated the AVCA poll, with four teams in the top-10 and eight teams in the top-25.
GOOD-BETTER-BEST
YOUTH MOVEMENT
No. Name 1. Stephanie Holthus 2. Janine Makar 3. Erika Lange 4. Lindsay Anderson 5. Madelyn Meneghetti 6. Dawn Reig 7. Liz Douglass 8. Stacey Kammes 9. Jessica Holloway 10. Shelley Brzozowski 11. Carmen Burbach 12. Alison Krumbein 13. Symone Abbott 14. Courtnie Paulus 15. Stephanie Kammes 16. Pattijean McCahill 17. Sabel Moffett 18. Kathy Burns 19. Miriam Stariha 20. Melissa Doan 21. Kayla Morin 22. Molly Maloney 23. Katie Dutchman
B1G-TIME VOLLEYBALL
Kills 1,797 1,666 1,618 1,516 1,490 1,481 1,420 1,408 1,396 1,304 1,263 1,246 1,216 1,201 1,163 1,135 1,132 1,111 1,096 1,059 1,019 1,005 1,001
Nine of the 12 teams the Wildcats will play in their non-conference slate had records of .500 or better in 2016 ... that compares to only six of the 12 teams the 2016 ‘Cats played in non-conference finished with records at .500 or better.
THE HEIGHT OF THEIR POWERS Northwestern boasts 12 student-athletes who measure at 6-foot or taller ... Seven of those are 6-foot-2 or taller.
ERROR-FREE BALL The 2016 Wildcat squad only committed 571 hitting errors, the fewest in a single-season in program history ... Bested the previous mark (from 2012) by 26 errors.
WORK IN PROGRESS Northwestern’s volleyball squad (along with the women’s basketball team) will play their home matches in 2017 at historic Beardsley Gym at nearby Evanston Township High School due to the ongoing $110-million renovations of Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats will not play a home match until September 23, when they host Illinois in Big Ten competition.
FEELS LIKE SUMMER Taylor Tashima, Symone Abbott, and Allie Lindroth played in notable offseason programs over the summer ... Tashima played in the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team-Minneapolis program ... Abbott was selected to the CNT-Europe team that won the 12th Global Challenge in Croatia ... Lindroth was one of 14 student-athletes selected for the Big Ten Foreign Tour, featuring sightseeing, community service, and international competition with teams from Russia, Italy, and others.
#HOMEGROWN
Taylor Tashima is two total blocks away from 150 for her career ... Sarah Johnson needs 52 digs to surpass the 300 mark ... Symone Abbott needs 169 more total attacks to reach 3,501, which would tie her for the 10th-most in a Northwestern career.
Northwestern’s athletic department, in addition to its Chicago’s Big Ten Team branding, has embraced the #HOMEGROWN nature of many of its teams. Volleyball is no exception, as five student-athletes come from the Chicagoland area: »» Taylor Tashima (Wilmette, Ill.) »» Rachael Fara (Naperville, Ill.) »» Allie Lindroth (Plainfield, Ill.) »» Alana Walker (Chicago, Ill.) »» Danyelle Williams (Chicago, Ill.)
YOU GO, WE GO
A BIT ABOUT THE SKIP
MILESTONE MARKERS
Symone Abbott was the linchpin to Northwestern’s offense in 2016, as she amassed 11.69 attacks per set, which was 13th-most in the NCAA and tops in the Big Ten ... that mark was the second-most ever by a Northwestern junior.
Head Coach Shane Davis, a former standout and twotime National Champion with the men’s volleyball team at Loyola (Chicago) is entering his second year with the Wildcats ... His .750 winning percentage with the Ramblers is the sixth-best in NCAA men’s volleyball history among coaches with five or more seasons.
NUMERICAL ROSTER
PRO-NUN-CEE-A-SHUNS Tashima..................... tuh-SHEE-muh Fara.................................... FARE-uh Ehman................................. EE-mun Whalen............................. WHALE-in Pitsas.................................PITS-uhs Wang................... rhymes with “rang” Nussman.......................NOOSE-man Viscuso............................ VIS-coo-so Danyelle.............................. Danielle Shari................................. SHARE-ee
WHERE Y’ALL FROM? Illinois........................................... 5
Tashima, Lindroth, Fara, Williams, Walker
California....................................... 4
Johnson, Wang, Bommer, Tavarez
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 20
Name Taylor Tashima Symone Abbott Allie Lindroth Rachael Fara Emily Ehman Ivey Whalen Lexi Pitsas Gabrielle Hazen Sarah Johnson Amy Wang Britt Bommer Cassidy Nussman Olivia Viscuso Ashley Bush Danyelle Williams Kaitlin Tavarez Nia Robinson Alana Walker
Indiana.......................................... 4
Nussman, Viscuso No.
Kentucky....................................... 1 2 Bush
Michigan....................................... 1 Abbott
Wisconsin...................................... 1 Whalen
A NOTE ABOUT NU The preferred abbreviation for Northwestern is “NU,” not “NW,” “NWU,” or any variation thereof. Northwestern’s main logo is the “Block N” (pictured below). Please contact Preston Michelson (preston.michelson@ northwestern.edu) if you require vector format artwork.
Ht. 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-3 5-8 6-3 5-6 6-3 5-7 5-6 6-1 6-4 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-6 6-2 6-3
Cl. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. R-So. Fr. Fr.
Hometown/High School Wilmette, Ill./New Trier Northville, Mich./Northville Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South Eagle, Wis./Catholic Memorial Munster, Ind./Munster Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City Pasadena, Calif./Mayfield Palo Alto, Calif./Henry Gunn Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa Pearland, Texas/Pearland Arlington, Texas/Lamar Union, Ky./Ryle Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young Menlo Park, Calif./Menlo-Atherton Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
Ehman, Pitsas, Hazen, Robinson
Texas............................................. 2
Pos. S OH OH MB L OH L MB L L S OH MB OH OPP DS/L OH MH
11 14 5 4 8 9 3 12 7 18 1 17 13 20 10 6 15
Name Symone Abbott Britt Bommer Ashley Bush Emily Ehman Rachael Fara Gabrielle Hazen Sarah Johnson Allie Lindroth Cassidy Nussman Lexi Pitsas Nia Robinson Taylor Tashima Kaitlin Tavarez Olivia Viscuso Alana Walker Amy Wang Ivey Whalen Danyelle Williams
Pos. OH S OH L MB MB L OH OH L OH S DS/L MB MH L OH OPP
Ht. 6-1 6-1 5-11 5-8 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-4 5-6 6-2 6-0 5-6 6-0 6-3 5-6 6-3 6-1
Cl. Sr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. R-So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.
Hometown/High School Northville, Mich./Northville Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa Union, Ky./Ryle Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City Pasadena, Calif./Mayfield Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North Pearland, Texas/Pearland Munster, Ind./Munster Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral Wilmette, Ill./New Trier Menlo Park, Calif./Menlo-Atherton Arlington, Texas/Lamar Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young Palo Alto, Calif./Henry Gunn Eagle, Wis./Catholic Memorial Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young
COACHING STAFF Name Shane Davis Erin Davis Kevin Moore Shari Davis Jeff Patton Brian Toron
Position / Year at NU Head Coach / 2nd Associate Head Coach / 2nd Assistant Coach / 2nd Program Coordinator / 2nd Volunteer Assistant Coach / 1st Technical Coordinator / 1st
Alma Mater / Year Loyola (Chicago) / ‘03 Illinois / ‘05 Juniata / ‘02 Loyola (Chicago) ‘03 Loyola (Chicago) ‘13 Delaware ‘15
NORTHWESTERN WHEN... Home...................................................... 0-0 Away....................................................... 0-0 Neutral.................................................... 0-0 Against Big Ten Teams............................. 0-0 vs. AVCA Top-25...................................... 0-0 Against Unranked Teams.......................... 0-0 Three Sets............................................... 0-0 Four Sets................................................. 0-0 Five Sets................................................. 0-0 Won First Set........................................... 0-0 Lost First Set........................................... 0-0 Won First Two Sets................................... 0-0 Lost First Two Sets................................... 0-0 Split First Two Sets................................... 0-0 Leading in Kills........................................ 0-0 Trailing in Kills......................................... 0-0 Tied in Kills.............................................. 0-0 Leading in Blocks..................................... 0-0 Trailing in Blocks...................................... 0-0 Tied in Blocks.......................................... 0-0 Leading in Digs........................................ 0-0 Trailing in Digs......................................... 0-0 Tied in Digs............................................. 0-0 Leading in Attack Percentage................... 0-0 Trailing in Attack Percentage .................... 0-0 Hitting .400 or better................................ 0-0 Hitting .300-.399..................................... 0-0 Hitting .200-.299..................................... 0-0 Hitting under .200.................................... 0-0 Opponent hits under .200......................... 0-0 Logest Set Winning Streak............................0 Longest Set Losing Streak............................0 Current Set Streak....................................W3 Longest Match Winning Streak.....................0 Longest Match Losing Streak........................0 Current Match Streak................................W1 Current Home Streak.................................W1 Current Road Streak..................................W1 In August................................................. 0-0 In September........................................... 0-0 In October............................................... 0-0 In November............................................ 0-0 On Wednesdays....................................... 0-0 On Fridays............................................... 0-0 On Saturdays........................................... 0-0 On Sundays............................................. 0-0 On Weekends.......................................... 0-0 At Night................................................... 0-0 In the Day................................................ 0-0 Wearing Purple........................................ 0-0 Wearing Black......................................... 0-0 Wearing White......................................... 0-0 On BTN................................................... 0-0
THE LAST TIME... Defeated a ranked opponent...........................................Oct. 21, 2016, vs. #24 Purdue (3-1) Lost to a ranked opponent......................................... Oct. 25, 2016, at #15 Penn State (3-0) Defeated a top-10 opponent....................................... Oct. 10, 2015, vs. #3 Penn State (3-2) Defeated a top-5 opponent......................................... Oct. 20, 2015, vs. #3 Penn State (3-2) Won a five-set match....................................................... Sept. 16, 2016, vs. Syracuse (3-2) Lost a five-set match.................................................. Nov. 12, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin (3-2) Double-Double (kills and digs)........... Sept. 16, 2016, vs. Syracuse, Symone Abbott (14k, 18d) ........................................................Sept. 16, 2016, vs. Syracuse, Rafae Strobos (15k, 11d) Double-Double (digs and assists)........Nov. 19, 2016, vs. Maryland, Taylor Tashima (18d, 32a) Double-Double (kills and blocks)........Oct. 15, 2011, vs. Michigan, Katie Dutchman (10k, 11b) A player with 25 kills...........................Nov. 12, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin, Symone Abbott (26k) A player with 30 kills................................. Oct. 17, 1997, vs. Indiana, Jessica Holloway (32k) A player with 35 kills................................. Sept. 25, 1987, at Minnesota, Janine Makar (36k) 70+ team kills............................................................Nov, 17, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin (74k) A player hit .500 (min. 10 atts.).................. Nov. 26, 2016, at Rutgers, Gabrielle Hazen (.500) A player hit .600 (min. 10 atts.)..................Sept. 21, 2016, at Indiana, Gabrielle Hazen (.636) A player hit .700 (min. 10 atts.)...................Aug. 27, 2016, vs. Buffalo, Symone Abbott (.700) A player hit .800 (min. 10 atts.)................. Sept. 17, 1994, vs. Milwaukee, Kim Ludwig (.917) A player hit .900 (min. 10 atts.)................. Sept. 17, 1994, vs. Milwaukee, Kim Ludwig (.917) Team hit .400............................................................. Sept. 2, 2016, vs. Chattanooga (.416) Team hit .500................................................................... Sept. 18, 2016, vs. Towson (.689) A player with 30 digs..Sept. 5, 2015, vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Caroline Niedospial (31d) A player with 35 digs..........................................Sept. 5, 2008, at Dayton, Kate Nobilio (38d) Team with 80 digs......................................................Nov. 12, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin (85d) Team with 90 digs......................................................... Sept. 21, 2012, vs. Wisconsin (91d) A player with 60 assists...................... Nov. 12, 2016, vs. #3 Wisconsin, Taylor Tashima (61a) A player with 70 assists...................................... Nov. 28, 1997, vs. Purdue, Liz Renius (77a) A player with 80 assists........................................... Nov. 17, 1997, at Iowa, Liz Renius (83a) NORTHWESTERN DOUBLE-DOUBLES THIS SEASON No. Date Opponent Player (#)
Stats
SHANE DAVIS HEAD COACH @COACHSHANEDAVIS
LOYOLA (CHICAGO) ‘03
2nd SEASON AT NORTHWESTERN 14th SEASON OVERALL
WILD FACTS »» A former standout and a two-time National Champion head coach for the men’s volleyball team at Loyola University Chicago, Davis was hired as the sixth head coach in Northwestern volleyball history on December 28, 2015. »» Finished his 12-year career helming the Ramblers with a career record of 265-88. He is the winningest coach, both in total wins and winning percentage, in Loyola history. »» His .750 winning percentage is the sixth-best in NCAA men’s volleyball history among coaches with five or more seasons. »» Led Loyola (Chicago)’s men’s volleyball team to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2014-15. »» After his first NCAA championship win in 2014, he was named AVCA Coach of the Year and Volleyball Magazine Coach of the Year. »» Davis is a native of Denver, Iowa. He is married to his wife, Andrea, and they have one daughter, Sydney.
COACHING CAREER »» In his first season in Evanston, he helped coach Symone Abbott to Honorable Mention All-Big Ten distinctions. »» Picked up his first Big Ten win, October 21, 2016, as the ‘Cats defeated No. 24 Purdue, 3-1, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. »» The Class of 2021, the first recruiting cohort conducted in full by Davis and his staff, was ranked the 22nd-best in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com ... That is the highest-ranked class since the Class of 2018 (Taylor Tashima, Symone Abbott, Gabrielle Hazen, and Katie Kniep) was ranked 18th in the nation. »» Northwestern went 4-0 in his first four contests as head coach, including three three-set sweeps. »» Became the head coach of Loyola (Chicago) as a 23-year-old after finishing a decorated playing career, becoming one of the youngest Division I coaches in NCAA history. »» Turned the Ramblers into a perenially-ranked program that went to three-straight national semifinals. Loyola’s winning percentage of .730 under Davis was almost 80 points better than the eight years of Loyola volleyball before he started as head coach. »» Davis won four Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Coach of the Year honors (2005, 2006, 2010,
2014). »» Mounted a 57-3 record in his last two seasons at Loyola, including a 28-2 record in conference play. »» The Ramblers posted a winning record in each of his 12 seasons at the helm. They finished first or second in the MIVA Conference eight out of his 12 seasons. »» Davis coached 12 All-Americans at Loyola, including both the 2015 AVCA National Player of the Year and the 2015 AVCA Newcomer of the Year. »» He has also mentored 43 All-MIVA selections, including four MIVA Players of the Year. »» He built a culture of success off the court, as 13 Ramblers were named to the MIVA Academic All-Conference team in his final year at Rogers Park.
PLAYING CAREER »» Davis played collegiately as a setter at Loyola from 2000 to 2003. He set a school record for career assists (5,337) and reached second place on the school leaderboard in career digs (723). »» Led the Ramblers in assists for every year (2000-03) of his playing career. »» He was named Loyola’s 2003 Male Athlete of the Year after a season in which he earned First Team All-MIVA recognition for the third time, as well as Second Team All-America honors. »» He is still listed among the Loyola leaderboards for assists, digs, and aces in a single match.
COACHING CAREER YEAR TEAM RECORD CONF. CONF. FINISH 2004 Loyola (M) 20-8 12-4 2nd 2005 Loyola (M) 26-3 15-1 1st 2006 Loyola (M) 23-7 11-1 1st 2007 Loyola (M) 23-7 8-4 T-3rd 2008 Loyola (M) 17-14 7-5 4th 2009 Loyola (M) 17-10 5-5 4th 2010 Loyola (M) 20-6 10-2 2nd 2011 Loyola (M) 21-8 9-3 2nd 2012 Loyola (M) 19-12 8-4 3rd 2013 Loyola (M) 22-10 10-4 1st 2014 Loyola (M) 29-1 14-0 1st 2015 Loyola (M) 28-2 14-2 2nd 2016 Northwestern 10-22 3-17 13th TOTALS 275-110 (.714) 126-52 (.708)
TROPHY CASE »» »» »» »» »»
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP (2014, 2015) AVCA COACH OF THE YEAR (2014) VOLLEYBALL MAGAZINE COACH OF THE YEAR (2014) MIVA COACH OF THE YEAR (2005, 2006, 2010, 2014) MIVA CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT TITLE (2013, 2014, 2015)
WILD FACTS
»» Tashima has been the starting setter for Northwestern since being a true freshman in 2014.
»» Currently ranks fifth all-time in assists in program history with 3,044 for her career ... Has the fourth-highest career assist per set clip (9.42).
»» In 2015, she was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention.
»» In February 2015, Tashima was diagnosed with a benign tumor in her »» »»
orbital cavity, a career- and eyesight-threatening malady. She had a successful operation to remove the tumor. In 2014, she led all Big Ten freshmen in double-doubles. Was a four-year starter for New Trier — about five miles away from Northwestern.
2016 (JUNIOR)
»» Finished the season with 1,008 assists, the ninth-most
TAYLOR TASHIMA SENIOR | 6-0 WILMETTE, ILL. NEW TRIER SETTER
ever by a Northwestern junior.
»» Handed out a career high 61 assists in a five-set match against No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12).
1
»» Slid into fifth-place in the Northwestern record
»» »» »» »»
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills Attempts Hitting Percentage Service Aces Assists Total Blocks Digs
14, vs. Indiana (Oct. 25, 2014) 31 (2x), last vs. Michigan (Oct. 31, 2014) .833, at Western Kentucky (Sept. 11, 2015) 5, vs. Purdue (Oct. 21, 2016) 61, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) 7, at Iowa (Oct. 28, 2016) 20, vs. Purdue (Oct. 24, 2014)
»» »» »» »» »» »»
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
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books for assists in her career-high 61 assist performance against No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12) ... Moved past Andrea Proos in the top-10 list. Surpassed Madalyn Shalter for 6th against Illinois (10/5). Moved past Kelli Meyer for 7th in the home-opener against Penn State (9/25). Passed Jackie Nuñez for eighth against Ole Miss at the Lipscomb Invitational (9/10). Cracked the top-10 list with her 33rd and final assist of the match against Buffalo to get to 2,156 for her career (8/27). Had a season high 18 digs in a threeset win over Maryland (11/19). Recorded a career high seven blocks at Iowa (10/28). Served a career high five aces in a win over No. 24 Purdue, including three in a row in the first set (10/21). Put down a season-high six kills at Lipscomb (9/9). Set a season high with 16 digs against Virginia Tech (9/9). Posted a 49-assist match in the Cavalier Classic championship against Virginia (8/27). Opened the season with a 40-assist performance against George Washington (8/26) ... Led a Northwestern offense that hit .494 against the Colonials, the fourth-highest mark in program history and best since 1998. Named to the Academic All-Big Ten team after the conclusion of the season. In her offseason, participated in the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team-Minneapolis training program.
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE 2014 104 28 131 1.26 62 315 .219 871 8.38 15 0.14 24 232 2.23 1 2015 107 31 92 0.86 24 213 .319 1165 10.89 15 0.14 34 232 2.17 1 2016 112 32 81 0.72 34 196 .240 1008 9.00 29 0.26 26 238 2.13 0 2017 TOTAL 323 91 304 0.94 120 724 .254 3044 9.42 59 0.18 84 702 2.17 2
BS 4 6 8
BA TB B/S BE 43 47 0.45 6 47 53 0.50 15 40 48 0.43 13
BHE PTS PTS/S 15 171.5 1.65 22 136.5 1.28 12 138.0 1.23
18 130 148 0.46 34 49 446.0 1.38
WILD FACTS
»» Is third all-time in Northwestern history with 3.63 kills per set and is 13th »» »» »»
with 1,216 total kills ... A senior seasion with similar kill numbers will put her in the top-five in NU history. Abbott is one of only 23 players in program history to join the 1,000-plus kills club. Coming off one of her strongest seasons in the purple and white, Abbott was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2016 after picking up 4.10 kills per set, fifth-best in the country and 41st in the nation. Has ranked in the top-five in kills per set in the Big Ten in the last two seasons.
2016 (JUNIOR)
»» All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. »» Accumulated 459 kills, the third-most for a Wildcat junior in program
SYMONE ABBOTT SENIOR | 6-1 NORTHVILLE, MICH. NORTHVILLE OUTSIDE HITTER
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CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills Attempts Hitting Percentage Service Aces Assists Total Blocks Digs
26, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) 72, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) .700, vs. Buffalo (Aug. 27, 2016) 3, vs. Buffalo (Aug. 27, 2016) 2 (3x), last at Minnesota (Oct. 9, 2016) 4, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) 18, vs. Syracuse (Sept. 16, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
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history ... Her 4.10 kills per set clip was fourth-best in the Big Ten, in the top-41 in the NCAA, and was the sixth-best mark in Northwestern history ... She led the ‘Cats in kills in every match. Was the linchpin of the NU offense, amassing 1,339 total attacks in 2016, the second-most ever by a Wildcat junior (trailing only Stephanie Holthus’s mark of 1,350) ... Her 11.96 attacks per set was 13th most in the NCAA, while her 1,339 attacks was in the top-30. She was also a conference leader, as her 11.96 attacks per set clip was tops in the Big Ten ... Her 503.5 points were fifth-best in the Big Ten. Recorded her 1,000th career kill on Oct. 1 against Iowa ... became the 23rd player in program history to reach the milestone. Set new career highs in kills (26), attempts (72) and blocks (4) in a five-set match vs. No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12). Tied a career high with three blocks at Iowa (10/28). Set a new career high with 18 digs against Syracuse at the UNI Tournament (9/16). Named to the Dayton Invitational All-Tournament Team ... Set season highs in kills, attempts, blocks and digs at Dayton with new career highs coming in attempts and digs in that match (9/3) ... Registered a career high two assists against Chattanoooga (9/2). Hit 14-for-20 with no errors in the Wildcats’ sweep of Buffalo (8/27) ... Opened the year with a 22-kill performance in just three sets against George Washington (8/26). In the offseason following her junior season, she participated in the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team-Europe program, in which she played for the team that won the 12th Global Challenge in Croatia.
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2014 116 31 370 3.19 175 978 .199 2015 107 31 387 181 181 1015 .203 2016 112 32 459 4.10 197 1339 .196 2017 TOTAL 335 84 1216 3.63 553 3332 .199
A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE 1 0.01 0 0.00 0 47 0.41 1 3 0.03 3 0.03 15 58 0.54 5 16 0.14 22 0.20 70 189 1.69 31
BS BA TB B/S BE 6 29 35 0.30 4 8 28 36 0.34 16 11 23 34 0.30 9
20 0.06 25 0.07 85 294 0.88 37 25 80 105 0.31 29
BHE 0 2 1
PTS PTS/S 390.5 3.37 412.0 3.85 503.5 4.50
3 1306.0 3.90
WILD FACTS
»» As a role player in 2016, Lindroth amassed 0.71 kills per set, the most by a returning non-starter for the 2017 campaign.
»» Lindroth is a native of Plainfield, Illinois, one of five #HOMEGROWN players on the volleyball squad (Taylor Tashima, Rachael Fara, Danyelle Williams, Alana Walker).
2016 (FIRST-YEAR)
»» Tied a career-high with four kills and set a new career high with 17 attempts at Illinois with all of them coming in one set (10/15).
»» Made collegiate debut at Dayton (9/3) ... Registered four kills and hit .375 in her first match to go along with three digs and a block.
ALLIE LINDROTH SOPHOMORE | 6-2 PLAINFIELD, ILL. PLAINFIELD NORTH OUTSIDE HITTER
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CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills 4 (2x), last at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016) Attempts 17, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016) Hitting Percentage .375, at Dayton (Sept. 3, 2016) Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks 1 (3x), last vs. Virginia Tech (Sept. 9, 2016) Digs 3, at Dayton (Sept. 3, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2016 21 11 15 0.7 9 61 .098 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 5 0.24 5 1 2 3 0.14 1 0 17.0 0.81 2017 TOTAL 21 11 15 0.7 9 61 .098 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 5 0.24 5 1 2 3 0.14 1 0 17.0 0.81
WILD FACTS
»» One of three juniors on the roster — and one of only five upperclassmen — Fara increased her blocks per set rate to 0.39 in 2016.
»» Fara is a native of Naperville, Illinois, one of five #HOMEGROWN players on the volleyball squad (Taylor Tashima, Allie Lindroth, Danyelle Williams, Alana Walker).
2016 (SOPHOMORE)
»» Notched a season-high four kills and hit at a season-high .375 clip against No. 1 Minnesota (10/9).
»» Notched a career-high two aces at Ohio State (9/28). »» Served her first ace of the season in the home-opener against Penn State (9/25).
»» Set six season highs at Indiana, and notched career highs in assists and digs (9/21).
»» Made season debut in Northwestern’s three-
RACHAEL FARA
set sweep over Chattanooga (9/2).
4
JUNIOR | 6-3 NAPERVILLE, ILL. BENET ACADEMY MIDDLE BLOCKER
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills Attempts Hitting Percentage Service Aces Assists Total Blocks Digs
9, at Minnesota (Sept. 30, 2015) 16, at Minnesota (Sept. 30, 2015) .375, at Minnesota (Sept. 30, 2015) 2 (2x), last at Ohio State (Sept. 28, 2016) 2 (2x), last at Indiana (Sept. 21, 2016) 6, vs. Ohio State (Oct. 9, 2015) 5, at Indiana (Sept. 21, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2015 29 12 38 1.31 15 89 .258 2016 28 13 19 0.68 13 56 .107 2017 TOTAL 57 25 57 1.00 28 145 .200
A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 3 0.10 2 0.07 9 4 0.14 0 4 5 9 0.31 4 1 46.5 1.60 2 0.07 4 0.14 9 13 0.46 0 2 9 11 0.39 3 0 29.5 1.05 5 0.09 6 0.11 18 17 0.30 0
6 14 20 0.35 7
1 76.0 1.33
WILD FACTS
»» Entering her second year as a Wildcat, Ehman averaged 0.88 digs per set in 2016.
»» Her uncle, Dan Dakich, played basketball at Indiana from 1981-85 and now broadcasts college basketball for ESPN ... Ehman is enrolled in the prestigious Medill School of Journalism.
2016 (FIRST-YEAR) »» »» »» »»
EMILY EHMAN SOPHOMORE | 5-8 BLOOMINGTON, IND. BLOOMINGTON SOUTH LIBERO
Played in all four sets of Northwestern’s win over No. 24 Purdue (10/21). Notched her first career kill on her first career attempt at Illinois (10/15. Registered two digs in a win over Syracuse at the UNI Tournament (9/16. Made collegiate debut at Dayton (9/3).
5
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills 1, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016) Attempts 1 (2x), last vs. Purdue (Oct. 21, 2016) Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs 4, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2016 16 9 1 0.06 0 2 .500 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 14 0.88 2 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 1.0 0.06 2017 TOTAL 16 9 1 0.06 0 2 .500 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 14 0.88 2 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 1.0 0.06
WILD FACTS
»» A three-time Wisconsin state champion at Catholic Memorial and a PrepVol»»
leyball.com Senior Ace, Whalen is one of seven newcomers on the Wildcats roster. Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Ivey is another player who will come here with a championship under her belt after having recently won the 2016 Wisconsin State Championship. With her size and athleticism, Ivey will be an immediate asset to our program. She has a great all-around skill set and will make our gym better right away.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played all four years and was a captain for head coach Ted Schulte … The
IVEY WHALEN
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6
FIRST-YEAR | 6-3 EAGLE, WIS. CATHOLIC MEMORIAL OUTSIDE HITTER
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Crusaders won the State Championship in 2014, 2015 and 2016 … State Championship Match MVP in 2015 and 2016 ... Classic 8 Conference Leader in kills and blocks for 2014, 2015, and 2016. PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace … Under Armour High School All-American … Named to Under Armour Watch List in 2016 … AllState Second Team 2015 … 2017 PrepVolleyball.com All-American … All-Southern Section Division 1 Selection. All-Tournament Player Award for the 2015 Wisconsin State Tournament … All-State Honorable Mention 2014 … All-State First Team in 2016 … All-Conference First Team in 2016 … All-Area Honorable Mention 2014 … All-Conference Honorable Mention 2014. Made honor roll all four years … National Honor Society member.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
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BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» A two-time sectional champ at Munster, Pitsas is one of seven newcomers on the Wildcats squad.
»» Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Lexi is a fast and athletic libero that has great court presence and instinct. She is a lot of fun to watch, with still a lot of room to grow as a volleyball player which is exciting. Lexi plays for one of the top junior clubs in Indiana, so she is used to the level of competition that we expect in our gym and we think she will settle in right away.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Four-year letter winner, including two years as captain, under head coach
»»
LEXI PITSAS
7
FIRST-YEAR | 5-6 MUNSTER, IND. MUNSTER LIBERO
CAREER MATCH HIGHS
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Tracy Summers … Three-time team MVP for the Mustangs and finished her high school career with 1,275 digs, 1,737 serve receives, and 232 kills … Team went 121-26 during her tenure, won sectionals in 2014 and 2016, and was a semi-state finalist in 2013. Earned 2016 Second-Team Academic AllState plaudits and was named to the All-Conference Team three times (2014-16). PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace … Four-time scholar athlete award (2013-16) … Was an Indiana 4A North/South All-Star in 2015 … Received team Iron Man Award four times (2013-16). With her club team Epic United VBC, she was named to All-Tournament Teams in 2014 (USAV) and 2015 (AAU).
Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
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A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
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B/S BE
BHE
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WILD FACTS
»» Hazen’s .277 career hitting percentage is the eighth-best in Northwestern history among Wildcats with 800 or more total attacks.
»» Has entered the top-10 list in single-season hitting percentage by class twice, including the second-best mark by a Wildcat sophomore (.300).
»» She leads all returners with 0.79 blocks per set in 2016 and is second
among returners with 467 total attacks in 2016 (trailing only Symone Abbott).
2016 (JUNIOR)
»» A consistent member of the Wildcat squad, Hazen mounted the
»»
GABRIELLE HAZEN
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SENIOR | 6-3 COLUMBIA CITY, IND. COLUMBIA CITY MIDDLE BLOCKER
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CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills Attempts Hitting Percentage Service Aces Assists Total Blocks Digs
13, vs. Milwaukee (Sept. 20, 2015) 31, vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016) .692, vs. Chattanooga (Sept. 2, 2016) 1 (3x), last at Michigan State (Nov. 18, 2015) 1 (2x), last at Rutgers (Sept. 25, 2015) 8 (2x), last vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) 3 (3x), last vs. Iowa (Oct. 18, 2015)
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SEASON MATCH HIGHS
second-best hitting percentage on the squad (.268), and the eighth-best by a Wildcat junior in program history ... Third on the team with 467 total attacks. Tied a career high with eight blocks in a five-set match against No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12). Registered seven blocks at Iowa in an effort that saw the team record 14 total (10/28). Had three solo and four total blocks in a win over No. 24 Purdue (10/21). Hit at a .444 clip against Penn State to raise her season average above .300 (9/25). Named to the All-Tournament Team at the UNI Tournament ... Set down a season high 12 kills on a career-high 31 attempts against North Dakota State (9/16). Notched a season-high 11 kills on a season-high 28 attempts vs. Ole Miss (9/10). Set and tied a season-high with seven blocks in consecutive matches at Dayton and vs. Ole Miss (9/9-10). Hit at a career high .692 clip vs. Chattanooga (9-for-13) in the Wildcats’ opening match sweep at the Dayton Invitational (9/2). Recorded double-digit kills with 10 for the second time in the Cavalier Classic championship at Virginia (8/27). Began the season with a 10for- 14 performance (.571) in a sweep of George Washington (8/26).
Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE 2014 6 5 1 0.17 4 7 -.429 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0 0.00 0 2015 89 27 186 2.09 64 407 .300 2 0.02 3 0.03 16 25 0.28 0 2016 112 32 214 1.91 89 467 .268 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 14 0.13 0 2017 TOTAL 207 64 401 1.94 157 881 .277 2 0.01 3 0.01 18 39 0.19 0
BS BA TB B/S BE 0 0 0 0.00 0 20 75 95 1.07 14 15 73 88 0.79 13 35 148 183 0.88 27
BHE PTS PTS/S 0 1.0 0.17 0 246.5 2.77 1 265.5 2.37 1
513.0
2.48
WILD FACTS
»» The starting libero for the second half of her first year in Evanston, Johnson »»
is the only underclassmen starter returning in 2017 ... Saw the most playing time of any member of her class. Led the ‘Cats in digs in 11 of the last 13 matches of the season.
2016 (FIRST-YEAR)
»» Transitioned into the starting libero role at mid-season ... Led the team with 248 digs and 2.70 digs per set.
»» Set new career highs with two aces against Ohio State (11/18) and seven assists against Maryland (11/19) and Penn State (11/25).
»» Notched a career high 29 digs in a five-set match against No. 3 Wisconsin (11/12).
»» Handed out a then career-high three assists in a win over No. 24 Purdue (10/21).
SARAH JOHNSON SOPHOMORE | 5-7 PASADENA, CALIF. MAYFIELD LIBERO
»» Served the first ace of her career at No. 1 Minnesota (10/9). »» Started at libero and set a new career high with 18 digs at UNI (9/17). »» Matched her then-career highs with two digs and seven digs at Lipscomb
9
(9/9).
»» Set a new career high with seven digs at Dayton (9/3). »» Played all four sets of Northwestern’s championship match against Virginia at the Cavalier Classic, registering three digs and two assists (8/27).
»» Made collegiate debut against George Washington in the Wildcats’ season-opening sweep (8/26) ... Tallied two digs in the match.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts 2, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces 2, vs. Ohio State (Nov. 18, 2016) Assists 7 (2x), last at Penn State (Nov. 25, 2016) Total Blocks N/A Digs 29, vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2016 92 28 0 0.00 2 6 -.333 55 0.60 6 0.07 35 248 2.70 31 0 0 0 0.00 1 0 6.0 0.07 2017 TOTAL 92 28 0 0.00 2 6 -.333 55 0.60 6 0.07 35 248 2.70 31 0 0 0 0.00 1 0 6.0 0.07
WILD FACTS
»» Wang is one of seven newcomers on the squad and one of four California natives.
»» Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Amy is another great libero that is joining our program. She will add great court awareness, attitude, and presence to our gym. Her experience with the U.S.A. High Performance program is a valuable asset for her and will be great for our program.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played for four years, including two years as a captain … Helped lead the »» »»
AMY WANG FIRST-YEAR | 5-6 PALO ALTO, CALIF. HENRY GUNN LIBERO
»»
Titans to a league championship in 2017 … Led team in kills senior year; top-three in league in assists, digs, and aces junior year. All-League junior and senior year … Team MVP for Henry Gunn senior year. With Red Rock Volleyball Club, won NCVA and came in third at PNQ 18-Open Division in 2017 … 2016 USA Junior A1 Red Team. Recipient of chemistry honors award.
10
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» Wang is one of seven newcomers on the squad and one of three California natives.
»» Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Britt is a very experienced and successful setter. She is someone who can make plays with her physical abilities and is benefited greatly by her understanding of the game. We’re very excited to have her as a part of our program.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played volleyball four years under head coach Hayley Blanchard … Named »» »»
BRITT BOMMER FIRST-YEAR | 6-1 MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF. MIRA COSTA SETTER
»»
11
»»
All-Area and All-Conference in 2015 … The Mustangs were the Bay League Champions in 2015. Named to the All-Tournament Team at the Anna Kang Invitational and the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions. PrepVolleyball.com All-American … Daily Breeze HS Co-Player of the Year … All CIF Southern Section Division 1 Selection. Competed for Sunshine club team for four years … Also played beach volleyball. Member of Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholars, and National Youth Leadership Forum: Engineering & Technology ... Was a People to People ambassador to Australia.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» One of three juniors on the roster ... Made collegiate debut in 2016.
2016 (SOPHOMORE)
»» Made first-career appearance in the Wildcats’ win at Buffalo (8/27) ... Recorded first block assist in the contest.
CASSIDY NUSSMAN JUNIOR | 6-4 PEARLAND, TEXAS PEARLAND OUTSIDE HITTER
12
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts 2, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016) Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks 1, at Buffalo (Aug. 27, 2016) Digs 1, at Illinois (Oct. 15, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2015 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2016 13 10 0 0.00 1 3 -.333 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 1 0.08 0 0 1 1 0.08 0 0 0.5 0.04 2017 TOTAL 13 10 0 0.00 1 3 -.333 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 1 0.08 0 0 1 1 0.08 0 0 0.5 0.04
WILD FACTS
»» One of four sophomores for Northwestern returning for their second season in Evanston ... One of two Texas natives on the squad.
2016 (FIRST-YEAR)
»» Her 0.56 blocks per set were the most by a Wildcats non-starter ... Appeared in 25 sets over 12 matches.
»» Notched a career-high four kills against North Dakota State on a career-high .222 hitting clip (9/16).
»» Had a significant impact vs. Ole Miss, registering three kills, 11 attempts and six blocks - all career-highs (9/10).
»» Made first career appearance in the season-opening win over George Washington (8/26) ... Recorded first career kill, attempt, and dig in that match.
OLIVIA VISCUSO SOPHOMORE | 6-0 ARLINGTON, TEXAS LAMAR MIDDLE BLOCKER
13
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills 4, vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016) Attempts 11, vs. Ole Miss (Sept. 10, 2016) Hitting Percentage .222, vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016) Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks 6, vs. Ole Miss (Sept. 10, 2016) Digs 1 (2x), last vs. Syracuse (Sept. 16, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 2016 25 12 10 0.40 6 35 .114 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 2 0.08 0 1 13 14 0.56 1 0 17.5 0.70 2017 TOTAL 25 12 10 0.40 6 35 .114 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 2 0.08 0 1 13 14 0.56 1 0 17.5 0.70
WILD FACTS
»» One of three juniors on the roster ... Made collegiate debut in 2016.
2016 (SOPHOMORE)
»» Did not appear in a match due to injury.
ASHLEY BUSH JUNIOR | 5-11 UNION, KY. RYLE SETTER
14
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills 9, vs. Michigan (Oct. 30, 2015) Attempts 27, vs. Michigan (Oct. 30, 2015) Hitting Percentage .111, vs. Michigan (Oct. 30, 2015) Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks 1 (2x), last vs. Illinois (Nov. 4, 2015) Digs 3, vs. Michigan (Oct. 30, 2015)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2015 4 8 15 1.88 15 53 .000 2016 - - - - - - - 2017 TOTAL 4 8 15 1.88 15 53 .000
A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 1 0.13 0 0.00 0 5 0.63 0 1 1 2 0.25 1 0 16.5 2.06 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 0.13 0 0.00 0 5 0.63 0 1 1 2 0.25 1 0 16.5 2.06
WILD FACTS
»» Williams is one of seven newcomers on the squad and is the daughter of »»
NBA veteran Aaron Williams, who played for 10 different teams from 19932008. Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Amy is another great libero that is joining our program. She will add great court awareness, attitude, and presence to our gym. Her experience with the U.S.A. High Performance program is a valuable asset for her and will be great for our program.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played four years of volleyball under head coach Jamie Walters … Helped »»
DANYELLE WILLIAMS FIRST-YEAR | 6-1 CHICAGO, ILL. WHITNEY YOUNG OPPOSITE
15
»»
»»
lead Dolphins to a city, conference, and regional championship … Played with fellow recruit Alana Walker. Named a Senior Ace by PrepVolleyball. com. Also played four years of varsity basketball … Led the Dolphin basketball team to a Regional Championship and was selected All-State. Member of the Honor Roll.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» Redshirted her first year in Evanston ... One of four California natives on the squad.
»» Her 264 total attempts in 2016 are the most by a returning non-starter.
2016 (REDSHIRT FIRST-YEAR)
»» Made first career start against North Dakota State and tallied a career-high 17 digs (9/16).
»» Notched a then-career-high eight digs vs. Ole Miss (9/10). »» Made first collegiate appearance at Dayton (9/3) ... Registered six digs in that match.
KAITLIN TAVAREZ REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE | 5-6 MENLO PARK, CALIF. MENLO-ATHERTON DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST/LIBERO
17
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts 1 (2x), last vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2016) Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces 1 (3x), last vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016) Assists 4, vs. Xavier (Sept. 3, 2016) Total Blocks N/A Digs 17, vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 16, 2016)
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2015 4 8 15 1.88 15 53 .000 2016 - - - - - - - 2017 TOTAL 4 8 15 1.88 15 53 .000
A A/S SA SA/S SE DIG D/S RE BS BA TB B/S BE BHE PTS PTS/S 1 0.13 0 0.00 0 5 0.63 0 1 1 2 0.25 1 0 16.5 2.06 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 0.13 0 0.00 0 5 0.63 0 1 1 2 0.25 1 0 16.5 2.06
WILD FACTS
»» The Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year winner and Indiana Volleyball »»
Player of the Year, Robinson is poised to join the Northwestern lineup as a promising young player. Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Nia has all the skill and athleticism needed to be successful at the college level, and she has shown that throughout her club and high school career. She has a big-time leadership role on her club and high school teams, and has experienced championship-level success, with the most recent being the 2016 Indiana State Championship. She’s exceptionally explosive and controls the ball well, which is a must for every outside hitter we bring in.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played varsity volleyball four years and was named team captain senior year under head coach Jean Kesterson ... Cathedral record holder in kills.
NIA ROBINSON FIRST-YEAR | 6-2 INDIANAPOLIS, IND. CATHEDRAL OUTSIDE HITTER
»» Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year winner … Indiana Volleyball Player of
18
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
»» »» »»
»»
»»
»»
the Year … Marion County Athletic Association Indianapolis Player of the Year. The Fighting Irish were 2014 state finalists, 2015 state and national champions, and 2016 state champions. Named AVCA/Under Armour, MaxPreps, and PrepVolleyball All-American … 2017 PrepVolleyball.com Academic All-American. 4A All-State player in 2015 and 2016 … All-City in 2014, 2015, and 2016 … Competed in 2015 and 2016 High School All-Star Game. Competed for Munciana club team for four years … Named AAU All American … Named 2017 AAU 18 Open National Championship MVP after helping lead Munciana to a title. Twice named AVCA/ MaxPreps.com Indiana Player of the Week. Made High Honor Roll every semester … National Honor Society.
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
WILD FACTS
»» One of seven newcomers and one of two Whitney Young grads on the Wildcat rosters, Walker provides size up front.
»» She is the daughter of former NBA champion Antoine Walker. »» Says Head Coach Shane Davis: “Alana is an extremely dynamic volleyball player who moves exceptionally well. We were really struck by her great blocking instincts and are looking forward to watching her develop. She is a natural leader and a natural winner and we are very excited for her future.”
HIGH SCHOOL
»» Played four years and was named
ALANA WALKER FIRST-YEAR | 6-3 CHICAGO, ILL. WHITNEY YOUNG MIDDLE HITTER
20
»»
»» »» »»
team captain under head coach Jamie Walters … Helped lead Dolphins to a city, conference, and regional championship. PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace … JVA Watch List … 2016 Illinois All-Star Team Captain … Played with fellow Wildcat Danyelle Williams. Beverly Review MVP … Named Captain of Illinois High School All-Star Team. Played for 1st Alliance club team for three years … Qualified for nationals. Honor Roll … National Honor Society.
CAREER MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
SEASON MATCH HIGHS Kills N/A Attempts N/A Hitting Percentage N/A Service Aces N/A Assists N/A Total Blocks N/A Digs N/A
CAREER YEAR-BY-YEAR STATISTICS SEASON SP MP K K/S E TA PCT 2017 TOTAL
A
A/S SA SA/S SE
DIG
D/S
RE
BS
BA TB
B/S BE
BHE
PTS
PTS/S
2017 SCHEDULE AND RESULTS DATE OPPONENT Aug. 25 South Florida Aug. 26 LSU Aug. 26 Arkansas - Pine Bluff Sept. 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 2
South Carolina Duke UNCW
Sept. 8 Sept. 9 Sept. 9
Milwaukee Army DePaul
Sept. 15 Sept. 16 Sept. 16
Seton Hall Bowling Green VCU
Sept. 20 Sept. 23 Sept. 29 Sept. 30 Oct. 6 Oct. 8 Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 20 Oct. 21 Oct. 25 Oct. 28 Nov. 1 Nov. 4 Nov. 10 Nov. 11 Nov. 17 Nov. 19 Nov. 22 Nov. 24
Purdue* Illinois* Rutgers* Penn State* Indiana* Purdue* Maryland* Ohio State* Nebraska* Iowa* Rutgers* Wisconsin* Illinois* Michigan State* Michigan* Michigan State* Minnesota* Wisconsin* Nebraska* Maryland*
LOCATION USF TOURNAMENT Tampa, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Tampa, Fla. DUKE TOURNAMENT Durham, N.C. Durham, N.C. Durham, N.C. DePAUL TOURNAMENT Chicago, Ill. Chicago, Ill. Chicago, Ill. VCU TOURNAMENT Richmond, Va. Richmond, Va. Richmond, Va. West Lafayette, Ind. Evanston, Ill. Piscataway, N.J. University Park, Pa. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Lincoln, Neb. Iowa City, Iowa Evanston, Ill. Madison, Wis. Champaign, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Ann Arbor, Mich. East Lansing, Mich. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. Evanston, Ill. College Park, Md.
TIME 6 p.m. 1 p.m. 4 p.m. 11 a.m. 6 p.m. 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 12 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m.
Home matches are listed in bold. All home matches will be played at Evanston Township High School during the complete renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena. * - Big Ten match All times are in CST and are subject to change. The schedule at NUsports.com is always the most up-to-date.
NORTHWESTERN TV/RADIO ROSTER
TAYLOR TASHIMA SR • S • 6-0 WILMETTE, ILL.
IVEY WHALEN FR • S • 6-3 EAGLE, WIS.
BRITT BOMMER FR • S • 6-1
MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF.
1
SYMONE ABBOTT
SR • OH • 6-1 NORTHVILLE, MICH.
6
LEXI PITSAS
11
CASSIDY NUSSMAN
FR • L • 5-6 MUNSTER, IND.
JR • OH • 6-4 PEARLAND, TEXAS
KAITLIN TAVAREZ
R-SO • DS/L • 5-6 MENLO PARK, CALIF.
2
ALLIE LINDROTH
7
GABRIELLE HAZEN
SR • OH • 6-2 PLAINFIELD, ILL.
SR • MB • 6-3 COLUMBIA CITY, IND.
12
OLIVIA VISCUSO
17
NIA ROBINSON
SO • MB • 6-0 ARLINGTON, TEXAS
FR • OH • 6-2 INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
3
RACHAEL FARA
8
SARAH JOHNSON
JR • MB • 6-3 NAPERVILLE, ILL.
SO • L • 5-7 PASADENA, CALIF.
4
EMILY EHMAN
9
AMY WANG
10
DANYELLE WILLIAMS
15
13
ASHLEY BUSH
14
18
ALANA WALKER
20
JR • S • 5-11 UNION, KY.
FR • MH • 6-3 CHICAGO, ILL.
SO • L • 5-8 BLOOMINGTON, IND.
FR • L • 5-6 PALO ALTO, CALIF.
FR • OPP • 6-1 CHICAGO, ILL.
5
