NIU volleyball (1-4) returned to the loss column Friday, losing in four sets to the University of St. Thomas Tommies (3-3).

After losing the opening frame, the Huskies showed fight by claiming the second set, but St. Thomas shut the door in sets three and four with scores of 25-19 and 25-17, respectively.

NEW LOW

Saturday’s loss was the most lopsided of NIU’s season so far. The Huskies’ only other four set loss came in the season opener to Western Michigan University, in which the Huskies were outscored 95-86, compared to 94-82 against St. Thomas.

The Huskies suffered season-lows in attacks (164), kills (50), hitting percentage (.134) and blocks (5). St. Thomas out-performed NIU in nearly every team statistic.

We have to find a way to execute the game plan consistently over three sets,” said NIU volleyball head coach Sondra D’Amore. “When it’s there, we look really good. Finding that consistency is the goal.”

TOMMIE STANDOUTS

Senior outside hitter Lauren Galvin recorded a double-double, racking up 15 kills and 10 digs.

Junior outside hitter/opposite hitter Tezra Rudzitis led the game with 17 kills.

HUSKIE STANDOUTS

One of the only bright spots for the Huskies was freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed. The Shorewood native notched her fourth-straight double-double, recording 11 kills and 16 digs.

In her first season of college ball, Grevengoed ranks third on the team in kills with 62 and second in digs with 83.

Senior libero Crew Hoffmeier led the game with 25 digs.

UP NEXT

The Huskies are three games into a seven-game road stretch. The team will travel to Kingston, Rhode Island, for the Art Carmichael Invitational for their next weekend trip.

The Huskies return to the court for two contests at 9 a.m. CST on Friday, starting with the University of Rhode Island. Live streaming will be provided by ESPN+ and live stats will be found on StatBroadcast.