Volleyball has GPAC winning streak snapped

On Wednesday night, the Raiders lost a hard-fought game in five sets to Morningside.
Although they dropped the first set (20-25), Northwestern bounced back and won the next two sets (25-23, 26-24).  Morningside rallied in the following sets (20-25, 13-15) to hand the Raiders their first regular season conference loss since 2007.
“The game was a lot of fun because of all the scrambling and crazy plays that happened … but we couldn’t pull it off,” said junior Danie Floerchinger, who tallied 12 digs on the night.
NW hit .149 and were led by senior Rylee Hulstein, who mustered 13 kills, 18 digs and 4.5 blocks.
Closely behind her was senior Kate Boersma, who contributed 12 kills and 1.5 blocks. Sophomore Megan Hutson and junior Jennie Jansen each chipped in 11 kills, while Hutson also added 5.5 blocks.
Freshman Kaitlin Floerchinger lofted up 34 assists as the setter.
Last weekend the Raiders traveled to LaCrosse, Wis., to take part in a tournament hosted by Viterbo University.
They played in four games and came away with a 2-2 record.  NW opened the tournament with a game against Valley City State University and won in four sets (25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23).  The Raiders kept their composure through game two where they defeated GPAC member Dakota Wesleyan in three sets (25-12, 25-13, 25-15).
On Saturday, NW dropped an incredibly close five sets to Jamestown (25-22, 19-25, 26-28, 25-20, 12-15).
“We played hard … but things just went [Morningside’s] way at the end of game five,” Danie Floerchinger said.
NW was battle-worn from several tough games and could not find the energy to beat hosts Viterbo in their final game of the tournament.  Viterbo won in three sets (17-25, 21-25, 15-25).  At the end of the weekend, Hutson was the lone Raider to represent NW on the all-tournament team.
“We’ve gotten so much better since our first game, and we’re striving for more during every practice and game.  We are so blessed to be on the up and up and it’s a super exciting time for our team,” Danie Floerchinger said.
The Raiders are currently 5-9 on the season and will head to the Mid-American Nazarene Classic in Olathe, Kan., this weekend.