It was a Thursday night at the end of October. Over 2,000 people were packed into Huff Hall, watching the Fighting Illini and the Wildcats go blow for blow. Northwestern had battled to a 2-1 set advantage and was on the verge of eking out its first conference win of the season.
It was a Saturday night at the end of October. As the words “trick” and “treat” reverberated throughout Evanston, the words “Let’s go ‘Cats” reverberated throughout Welsh-Ryan Arena as over 1,000 people watched the Wildcats
and Scarlet Knights trade haymakers on NU’s senior night. Northwestern had battled to a 2-1 set advantage and was on the verge of eking out its first conference win of the season.
You’d assume the ‘Cats got the job done at least once.
However, I might get the chance to write that paragraph again.
After choking away two games last week and losing both matches in five sets, Northwestern sits at 7-16 on the year and 0-12 in Big Ten play. The ‘Cats lost to Illinois on Thursday and Rutgers on Saturday, solidifying themselves as the worst team in the conference and more than likely ending their chances of getting a Big Ten win this season. In a year when NU has often seemed so close, yet so far, two more closely contested losses only add to the Wildcats’ mounting frustration in a season defined by missed opportunities.
The ending to the Illinois game was about as lopsided as the final two sets of a five-set match can be. Northwestern lost 40 of the final 61 points as Illinois grabbed the momentum and never let go. The Fighting Illini jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the fourth set and won the deciding set 15-6. A flip switched, and the ‘Cats were unable to match the quality of their in-state rivals. NU had 12 fewer kills and no service aces, lacking the aggression needed to force mistakes from its opponent. Sophomore outside hitter Bella Bullington’s inefficient performance characterized the Wildcats’ night, finishing with 18 kills but hitting just .179.
Running out of gas and letting yet another victory slip out of its fingers is a disappointing result for Northwestern, but it should be taken with a grain of salt. Illinois is 16-7 on the year and 8-4 in the Big Ten. A ‘Cats win would have been a major upset and possibly represented a turning point in the season and a rejuvenating result to encourage a push to the Big Ten Tournament. Northwestern’s five-set thriller on Thursday was an inspiring effort, something it hasn’t shown for a majority of the conference slate.
Northwestern’s loss to Rutgers on Saturday hurt more.
Up two sets to one, the ‘Cats carried momentum into the fourth set and dominated early; it looked like the purple and white would celebrate their seniors in the best way possible. Northwestern led 17-12, then 19-14 in the fourth set. NU staved off a Rutgers run and fought its way to the brink of the promised land, leading 24-21. The ‘Cats were one point away from winning their first conference game. One point away from breaking the curse and avoiding the embarrassment of a winless Big Ten season. One win away from a Halloween night of celebrating the pillars of the program, delirious from victory. They were so close, yet so far.
Yet, on the edge of defeat, Rutgers executed a perfect bump, set and spike to pull within two. The Scarlet Knights then survived a Paris Campbell attack and capitalized on a free ball to cut the deficit to just one. With the stadium engulfed in a tense atmosphere, a poor serve received by Bullington led to another free ball, which Rutgers slammed into the middle of the Northwestern defense.
At 24-24, the Wildcats choked on their own spit; a Cate Schnell attack fell back onto her own side of the net, and Rutgers’ match-point serve trickled off the net for a match-winning service ace. A five-point run from the jaws of defeat evened up the match at two sets apiece as Northwestern’s dreams of victory were still just that: dreams.
The ‘Cats were shell-shocked in the fifth set and never completely regained control. The Scarlet Knights led the entire set and walked out of Welsh-Ryan Arena with smiles as their costume for the night. Rutgers won the final set 15-12.
It was a heartbreaking week for Northwestern, which now plays four ranked opponents in its final five games of the season. The ‘Cats’ effort was commendable, but, at the end of the day, they might just not have what it takes this season. 0-17 in the Big Ten now seems likely.
Northwestern’s next game is at No. 20 Washington at 9:00 p.m. CDT on Friday.
