The seventh-ranked Gophers volleyball team defeated Northwestern in four sets Sunday, winning 25-16, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22 at the Sports Pavilion.

The Gophers (19-4, 7-3) have not lost at home this season. They held on to sole possession of third place in the Big Ten. Northwestern dropped to 13-9 and 5-5.

The Gophers outhit Northwestern .291 to .140, had a 61-52 ratio in kills, added 17 blocks to the Wildcats' 11 and had 80 digs.

Minnesota had four with double-digit kills. Senior Ashley Wittman held a match-best 17 kills and a career-best 29 digs for her ninth double-double of the season. Adrianna Nora had her best performance as a Gopher, with 15 kills in 34 attempts (.324). Tori Dixon had 14 kills and hit .367, while Daly Santana had 12 kills and nine digs. Alexandra Palmer added a double-double when she had 41 assists and 12 digs.

The Gophers play road matches Friday at Purdue and Saturday at Indiana.

U soccer wins at Purdue

Two goals by Katie Thyken staked the Gophers to a comfortable lead and they went on to defeat Purdue 2-1 in women's soccer in West Lafayette, Ind.

Thyken opened the scoring in the first minute of play with her sixth goal of the season, assisted by freshman Simone Kolander. Thyken made it 2-0 in the second half, off another setup from Kolander, before the Boilermakers' Maddy Williams scored off a corner kick.

The victory moved the Gophers to 11-5-2, 4-4-2 in the Big Ten. Purdue is 8-9-1 and 4-6-0.

U golfers tied for second

The Gophers women's golf team shot a 2-over-par team score that left it tied for second with San Diego State after one round of the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown. Nevada Las Vegas leads at even-par 288.

Three Gophers were in the top 10, including Sarinee Thitiratanakorn, who shot 1-under 71, matching her best career round. Emie Peronnin and Banchalee Theinthong sit one shot back from their teammate at the Stallion Mountain Golf Club.

Carmen Laguna was tied for 43rd after opening the tournament with a 75.