‘Cats Split Matches in Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Northwestern volleyball (2-3) split a pair of matches in Starkville, Miss., this week, defeating Alabama (3-1) before falling to Mississippi State (4-1) in the inaugural Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge Week. The ‘Cats downed the Crimson Tide 3-1 on Thursday, then dropped a 3-1 match to the Bulldogs on Friday. Mara Štiglic led the offense in both matches, finishing with 36 kills across the two days. Bella Bullington was also strong, tallying 15 kills on Thursday and 11 on Friday. Ellie Stiernagle continued the impressive start to her first-year season with 87 more assists, while first-year Hayley Schaaf…