Head volleyball coach Pete Waite left the Colorado State University Tournament this weekend breathing a little easier.

Not only did his team play its first game of the season, but the Huskies walked away with a 2-1 finish and two All-Tournament players.

In Friday’s match against Cal State University-Fullerton, NIU went 6-15, 15-12, 15-12, 15-12 for a much needed season-opening win.

“Fullerton’s Becky Howlett (6-4) really hurt us the first game but we started blocking and digging her the next few games and played some great volleyball,” Waite said. “Nikki (Kosak) had some excellent defensive plays and really pulled through for us.”

Kosak led the Huskies offensively with 21 kills. The tournament’s biggest surprise, Wendy Mason, had 17 digs to lead NIU’s defense which was followed by Kosak’s 15.

But NIU lost hold of its winning momentum against a strong Colorado State team that defeated the Huskies 10-15, 5-15, 15-11, 10-15 in a follow-up match. Once again Kosak led the team with 13 kills and a team-best 15 digs.

“It was Colorado’s home-opener with a big crowd and they came out and smoked us the first two games,” Waite said. “It wasn’t until we woke up that we started playing good ball. CSU is an excellent team this year and I’m just happy we gave them two strong games.”

NIU managed to bounce back Saturday, but not without a struggle. The Huskies’ victory over Montana State University went five games (15-10, 7-15, 15-5, 9-15, 15-11) which included a 0-10 deficit in the first game before NIU made an amazing comeback with 15 unmatched points.

According to Waite, the NIU bench was a big boost for the team, while Mason shined again with 25 kills and Kosak upheld her domination in the backcourt with 16 digs.

Not surprisingly, Mason and Kosak were selected by the tournament coaches as members of the All-Tournament Team.

“I was really excited for Wendy (Mason) because she was playing near her hometown of Lyons, (Colo.) in front of her former club coaches and members of her family,” Waite said. “This is the first year Wendy has had a starting role in the front court and she filled in the position nicely.”

Waite now hopes to utilize NIU’s success at the tournament as a stepping stone to Tuesday’s home-opener against University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

“I’m really glad we got the chance to play this weekend and find out where we are,” Waite said. “We’re especially looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd.” Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at Chick Evans Field House.