Set Point #10: Eyes on the postseason

Another 0-2 week has come and gone for Northwestern, bringing its record to 7-14 on the year and 0-10 in Big Ten play. The Wildcats lost in three sets to Michigan on Oct. 22 and then were swept by Purdue on Sunday, falling 150-110 in the two matches. Bella Bullington and Mara Štiglic led the team in kills across the two games, totaling 20 and 16, respectively, but it was yet another disappointing showing.

The two additional results emphasize a trend of the season: simply put, the ‘Cats are not operating at the same level, in any regard, as the other Big Ten teams. Across its 10 conference games, NU has won four of the 34 sets it has played. It ranks last in the conference in most important stat categories, from total kills to aces to blocks.

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However, despite this lack of competitiveness, Northwestern’s postseason goals aren’t dead just yet. The top 15 Big Ten finishers advance to the postseason conference tournament, and anything can happen from there in a single-elimination format. The ‘Cats have seven games remaining on their schedule, and likely must win four of them to avoid the conference’s bottom three. Let’s break down what NU needs to do in its remaining games.

Must win: 2/2

Saturday versus Rutgers

Rutgers is 10-12 on the year and 1-9 in the Big Ten. Its lone conference win is a sweep over Ohio State, but it has lost in three or four sets in its other nine games. The Scarlet Knights struggle with defense and lack options on the offensive end, representing a winnable game for the ‘Cats. NU will walk onto its home floor on Halloween night desperate for a win over Rutgers; if Northwestern can’t muster up some evil spirits and come away with this one, then it might not win a Big Ten game all year.

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Nov. 12 versus Iowa

Iowa is 13-11 on the year and 2-8 in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes beat Rutgers in three sets earlier in the season and just pulled off a surprising upset over a UCLA team that has been a top-third team in the conference. Iowa’s dynamic…

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Publish date : 2026-10-28 16:53:00

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