Huskies Cut up Common Season Collection with Broncos, Fall in Straight Units

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Splitting the sequence this season, the Northern Illinois University Huskies volleyball staff (10-11, 3-9 MAC) fell in straight units to the Western Michigan University Broncos (12-13, 9-3 MAC) this night in Kalamazoo. The Huskies and Broncos posted set scores of 17-25, 25-27, 15-25.
 
Emma McCartney (Cleveland, Ohio/Chardon) and Autumn Flynn (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) led the Huskies with 9 kills every. McCartney additionally led the Huskies in digs with 15.
 
Alexa Hayes (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia West) set a brand new season-best in digs within the contest.
 
“There were many highs tonight. We just struggled to convert in big moments and had one too many unforced errors,” mentioned head coach Sondra D’Amore. “They (Western Michigan) swung high and were really smart. I give them a lot of credit for their level of execution off our block. I’m confident we can turn it around and fight to have a winning season with the matches we have left.”
 
How It Happened
 
The Huskies opened the primary set of the night on a 3-0 run, which included a service ace from Kylie Schulze (Wonder Lake, Ill./Woodstock North). The Broncos responded with six straight factors earlier than a timeout was referred to as on the ground. A Flynn kill began NIU on a 5-1 run as they got here inside one at 11-10. Hayes put the Huskies inside one as Western Michigan launched into a 6-2 run late within the set. McCartney and Flynn had a mixed three kills within the remaining factors as Western Michigan took the opening set.
 
Mirroring the primary set, the Huskies first two factors within the second set got here through a kill and an ace. Following a McCartney kill, NIU went on an early 4-1 run at 7-3. A pair of attacking errors by the Broncos gave NIU a five-point lead at 11-6 earlier than the Broncos started chipping away on the Huskies lead. After a timeout at 12 all, Naomi Dowd (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) had a pair of kills as NIU matched Western Michigan in factors. The Huskies offense discovered success down the center with three consecutive kills coming from center blockers. McCartney and Dowd had back-to-back kills to achieve set level at 24-22. Dowd had the ultimate kill of the evening as Western Michigan received the second set 27-25.
 
Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West) recorded the primary kill of the third set for the Huskies as NIU answered the Western Michigan opening run with three straight factors. Western Michigan and the Huskies would commerce scoring runs earlier than back-to-back kills from Flynn and Grevengoed tied the set at 7. The Huskies would take the lead at 9-8 on a kill from Savannah Gogel (Santa Claus, Ind./Heritage Hills). Gogel tied the sport again at 10 earlier than Western Michigan went on a 5-1 run. Flynn recorded two of the Huskies remaining three kills as Western Michigan took the third and remaining set, 25-15.
 
The Huskies proceed motion this week as they host Buffalo, October 31 and November 1 at 6 p.m. inside Victor E. Court.
 
Fans are invited to remain after the sport on October 31 for post-match autographs with the Huskies volleyball staff as they have fun Huskie Halloween. Due to ICA Cheer competitors happening within the Convocation Center, followers are requested to park in lot C3 for the November 1 recreation in opposition to Buffalo.  
 
To buy tickets, please click on here or name the NIU Athletics Tickets Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).
 
Need extra Huskies Volleyball? Follow us on Twitter/X at @NIUVolleyball, on Facebook at NIU Volleyball, and on Instagram at @NIUVolley.