Thomas-Ailara Shines in Four-Set Match vs. #11 Penn State

EVANSTON, IL –Northwestern Volleyball fell to the Penn State Lady Lions 3-1 (23-25, 25-9, 19-25, 23-25) on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The Wildcats were led by a double-double from Temi Thomas-Ailara, who registered 22 kills and 17 digs on the day. Kathryn Randorf also added 12 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Hanna Lesiak chipped in for with 16 digs to go with six blocks from Desiree Becker.

After Penn State took the first set, Northwestern punched back with an emphatic 25-9 set victory, closed out by an 18-0 run.

 

18-0 run to close out the second set?

We ?? you, @NUVball!

All tied up with #11 Penn State at WRA ??

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— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) November 24, 2022

Game Notes

» Northwestern had five players in double figures in digs.

» Temi Thomas-Ailara registered a double-double with 22 kills and 17 digs

» Temi Thomas-Ailara had a match-high 22 kills for Northwestern.

» Northwestern got a match-high 17 digs from Temi Thomas-Ailara.

» Northwestern attackers were helped by a match-high 42 assists from Alexa Rousseau.

How It Happened

SET 1 | The Wildcats came up short in a back-and-forth first set, losing 25-23 in a set that featured three lead changes and was tied 10 times. Neither team led by more than four points.

SET 2 | Northwestern responded to pick up a 25-9 victory in the second set, evening the match at one set apiece. The Wildcats grabbed the set propelled by a solid showing on the attacking end. Northwestern registered a .429 attack percentage with 18 kills in the set win. The Wildcats ended on a strong note, stretching their lead to its largest point in the set to finish out the stanza.

SET 3 | Penn State responded to win set number three, putting Northwestern in a two sets to one hole. The Wildcats lost a tough set 25-19. Northwestern trailed by as many as six points as Penn State grabbed the advantage for good at 8-7 in a set that was knotted up five times before the Lady Lions took over the lead.

SET 4 | Northwestern then fell in the fourth set 25-23 to finish off the match. Penn State grabbed the advantage for good at 8-7 and Northwestern wasn’t able to recover in a set that was knotted up six times before the Lady Lions took over the…