BAY MINETTE, Ala. - After dropping the opening set of Saturday's road match at Coastal Alabama-South, Northwest responded to take the next three sets for a 3-1 win.

One of the most notable stat lines that came away from the match was Kaya Coleman's three blocks, which moved her single-season total to 93 blocks, a new season record. The Cobden, Ill. native surpassed the previous single-season record set by Kailey Gooch (89) just last season.

For her career, Coleman has 111 blocks, which ranks fifth all-time. Jacia Hayes (2022-23) holds the career record with 164 blocks, with Micah Swift, Gooch and teammate Anna Lott ranking second through fourth, respectively.

Northwest dropped the opening set by a close 25-23 decision, but the Lady Rangers buckled down from there. Northwest pulled away to claim the second set by a 25-16 decision, before earning the next two by identical 25-18 margins.

Maddie Smith led Northwest with 14 kills, while Lott followed with 10 kills. Aven Mathis finished with a team-high three service aces and 16 digs, while Lott tallied a team-best three blocks. 

Layla Dyer totaled 26 assists, while also finishing with 16 digs. For her part, Smith also finished with 11 digs.

Coastal Alabama-South was led by 11 kills from Jennifer Shipman, while Kameryn Browne totaled 20 assists. Sarah Alleman led the Coyotes with 19 digs.

With the win, Northwest improved to 21-7 on the season. The Lady Rangers step back into conference play on Monday, October 14 at Jones College. The Lady Bobcats (19-6, 4-2 MACCC) lost the initial meeting to Northwest last month, but are coming off a three-win weekend in the Snead State Invitational, including a 3-2 win against 12th-ranked Walters State.

  Read Full Article