NIU volleyball’s non-conference schedule began with a 1-3 start to mark the beginning of a new era. After just two matches against conference competition, the Huskies have set themselves up for the opportunity to flip the script and roll to a 3-1 start in MAC play.
STATEMENT WIN
NIU’s series split with Bowling Green State University – the defending MAC champions – was an impressive feat on its own. Pulling it off on the road while in the midst of a weeks-long road spell makes it all the more sweet.
To bring a win home of that nature makes for a major confidence booster. Confidence and morale are crucial elements of the game. It’s what helped NIU reach the peak of the conference in the middle of last season, and the lack thereof sent the Huskies spiraling down into a playoff shortfall.
With a pair of matches against a Miami University (4-10, 0-2 MAC) squad at home next on its schedule, NIU could very well open MAC play 3-1.
Friday’s win might just be the spark that NIU needs to build momentum early into its conference schedule.
DAY AND NIGHT FIRST SETS
NIU had a brilliant start to its series-opener on Thursday. The Huskies battled tooth-and-nail in a first set that saw scoring spill into the 30s. The Huskies recorded 20 kills on 48 attempts for .333 hitting in the 32-30 set loss.
Friday’s first set wasn’t nearly as welcoming.
Bowling Green held the Huskies to just seven kills and eight errors to finish the first set with a -0.042 hitting percentage. It was one of, if not the worst, starts NIU has had to a match this season.
ACES GALORE, AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY
NIU still has glaring issues with fielding opposing services. The Huskies gave away 20 service aces in its latest series, including an 11-ace performance by Bowling Green on Thursday. Three Falcons tallied five or more aces against the Huskies between both matches.
NIU has surrendered 99 service aces in 57 sets played this season. Its opponents are averaging 1.74 service aces per set.
The Huskies may have survived Bowling Green in spite of their receiving struggles, but it’s a disease NIU won’t be able to hide for very long. The Huskies are nearly a month away from back-to-back home matches against two of the nation’s top 50 squads in aces per set – the University of Akron (No. 5) and the University at Buffalo (No. 31).
NIU has already proven it can dish out kills. The Huskie defense is among the best in the conference, sitting at fourth in total blocks (112.0) and total digs (865).
If they can clean up their service fielding – and get some service aces of their own (11th in the MAC) – the Huskies have the potential to make waves in league play.
