MELLETTE – Northwestern gave coach Nora Groft her 600th career victory in a 30-28, 22-25, 25-14, 25-6 Lake Region Conference win over Aberdeen Christian Tuesday night.
The Knights almost grabbed the opening set over fourth-rated Northwestern, but came up just short. Christian then rallied from an 18-14 deficit to claim the second set.
That’s when the Wildcats took control winning the last two sets in convincing fashion.
Ella Haven finished with a match-high 24 kills to go along with four aces and 13 digs to lead the victory. Emma Grandpre followed with 10 kills and Haiden Grandpre added eight.
Brooklinn Halvorson notched five aces and Teryn Sparling four as Northwestern, 19-5 on the season, finished with 16 aces in all.
Mary Fites topped Christian with 13 kills and a pair of aces. Hannah Miller contributed seven kills. Joy Rohrbach finished with two aces and 19 digs.
The Knights, 13-3 on the year, play host to Wilmot on Thursday.
Serving: Aberdeen Christian 66-72 5 aces (Joy Rohrbach 11-11 2 aces, Mary Fites 11-14 2 aces); Northwestern 90-97 16 aces (Brooklinn Halvorson 21-23 5 aces, Teryn Sparling 21-21 4 aces, Ella Haven 14-15 4 aces).
Hitting: Aberdeen Christian 81-102 34 kills (Fites 25-33 13 kills, Hanna Miller 13-16 7 kills); Northwestern 103-121 52 kills (E. Haven 38-43 24 kills, Emma Grandpre 22-25 10 kills, Haiden Grandpre 13-15 8 kills).
Setting: Aberdeen Christian (Kaylee Block 56-57 16 assists); Northwestern 110-114 46 assists (Halvorson 89-90 39 assists).
Digs: Aberdeen Christian 43 (Rohrbach 19, Block 7); Northwestern 40 (E. Haven 13, Ashley Haven 12, Halvorson 9).
Blocks: Aberdeen Christian 3 solos 5 assists (Mallory Miller 2 solos 2 assists, H. Miller 1 solo 1 assist); Northwestern 9 assists.