SIOUX CITY, Iowa – In the 2025 NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Semifinal Round, the Northwestern Red Raiders defeated the Concordia (Neb.) Bulldogs 3-0 (25-23, 25-13,25-9).
The Red Raiders edged out a close first set, despite falling behind; Trailing 17-11, the Raiders rallied by taking four of five points to make it 19-16 and force a Bulldog timeout. An attack error later leveled the score at 20-20, and Northwestern regained the advantage with a Franken swing. In a nail-biting finish, the Raiders clinched the set 25-23, thanks to a decisive kill from Winterfeld, her eighth of the set.
The Red Raiders seized control early in the second set, decisively winning 25-13. Their attack efficiency soared to .324, with standout performances from Stella Winterfeld and Zavyr Metzger. The final set saw Northwestern continue to carry its momentum with a 25-9 victory.
MATCH NOTES:
The Raiders advance to their second national championship in program history, also for the second time in three seasons.
Northwestern’s 25 sweeps this season is second in school history behind the 2009 season’s 29 sweeps.
Stella Winterfeld led all players with 14 kills.
The setting duo of Liv Reitsma and Nyah Potthoff each had double-doubles, with Reitsma going for 16 assists and 12 digs and Potthoff recording 13 assists and 12 digs.
Maggie Bloom led all players with 13 digs.
Bloom and Madi Nemmers each served two aces.
Rylie Franken picked up six kills on an efficient .375.
Up Next: Northwestern will face Indiana Wesleyan in a rematch of the 2023 NAIA Championship, tonight at 7:00 p.m. inside the Tyson Events Center.
