Volleyball gets back on track

The Northwestern volleyball team pleased a vibrant and packed student section by defeating Briar Cliff Wednesday night in four sets.
After falling in the first set 22-25, NW turned it around and won three straight (25-21, 25-10, 26-24).
“The crowd tonight [Wednesday] helped a ton,” said freshman Kaitlin Floerchinger. “The energy they brought to the gym made the energy on the court skyrocket.”
NW hit .253 and was led by junior Jennie Jansen, who tallied 13 kills hitting .303. That tied her career high for a match. Senior Rylee Hulstein added 12 kills and 23 digs. Senior Kate Boersma added 10 kills of her own.
Kaitlin Floerchinger had 43 assists, 12 digs and six kills from the setter position.
“The passion to win was evident,” Kaitlin Floerchinger said.
Last weekend the team traveled to Olathe, Kan., to compete at the MidAmerica Nazarene Invite.
“This past weekend gave our team the opportunity to improve in many areas,” said junior libero Jaci Moret.
The Raiders finished 2-2 on the weekend. NW defeated Oklahoma City in five games (25-16, 21-25, 19-25, 25-22, 15-9). NW then lost the Friday nightcap in five sets to Evangel (24-26, 25-23, 26-24, 23-25, 10-15).
“Those two five- game matches were so competitive,” Moret said, “which only makes our team better.”
On Saturday NW lost to Baker (20-25, 22-25, 20-25), but finished well with a sweep (25-20, 25-16, 25-14) of Benedictine in the final game.
“The last match was the most fun I’ve ever had in a game. [Junior Danie Floerchinger] was wired and it wasn’t long until everyone else shared in her enthusiasm.  This team definitely knows how to have a good time,” Moret said.
NW hit .194 for the weekend. Boersma hit an impressive .329 in the four matches. Hulstein led the team in hitting with 2.9 kills per set.
Sophomore middle hitter Megan Hutson averaged 2 blocks per set and totaled 33 on the weekend. She also added 1.7 kills per set. Kaitlin Floerchinger lofted up eight assists, two digs and over one block per set on the weekend.
“We’re coming together better. It’s a process, and we are making good progress for sure,” Kaitlin Floerchinger said.
The Raiders will have a chance to push their confernce record over .500 against Hastings tomorrow in the Bultman Center at 3 p.m.