DeKALB – NIU Volleyball (3-12, 1-4 MAC) defeated the Kent State University Golden Flashes (1-14, 0-5 MAC) in three sets Thursday. It’s the Huskies first Mid-American Conference win of the season and snaps a six game losing streak.
SHORT AND SWEET
The Huskies completed their first sweep of the season as they shut the Golden Flashes down in every set en route to a 3-0 win.
The first set was the closest of the game. The frame saw 67 ties and 2 lead changes but NIU eventually gained momentum, taking the set 25-23. The Huskies were more efficient than Kent State in the first set, posting a hit rate of .114 compared to the Flashes .086. The Huskies also posted a game high 4 service aces in this set.
The second set was another tight affair. This set saw 9 ties and 2 lead changes but would eventually end with NIU taking it 25-21 as they closed the second frame on a 5-0 run. NIU was productive on offense in this set as they posted 20 kills on a match high hit rate of .386. Both were superior to Kent State’s marks of 14 kills on a .262 rate.
The third set was the most one-sided of the night. NIU was harsher on the attack than Kent State in this frame. The Huskies slammed 17 kills at a rate of .368 compared to the Golden Flashes 11 at a rate of .132. The Huskies were also stifling on tdefense in the third set as they posted 3 total blocks. NIU ended the frame with a 5-1 run and won 25-18 to complete their sweep over the Golden Flashes.
NIU vVolleyball head coach Sondra D’Amore praised the team’s performance in this game, especially in closing down the stretch.
“I thought the best we did was something we’ve been working on which is really closing and kind of pushing towards the end,” D’Amore said. “I thought it was a huge step in the right direction for us and to get some confidence.”
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
Senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo was a standout performer in this game. Atiemo led with 14 kills hitting at a rate of .433. She also contributed at the service line with 3 service aces and stepped up defensively posting 2 block assists.
Talking about her performance, Atiemo gave credit to her teammates.
“It just comes from trusting my teammates and believing that we all can do it,” Atiemo said. “I couldn’t put any balls down if it wasn’t without the back court and the set being there.”
Freshman setter Ella Strausberger also shined. She posted a double-double with a game high 39 assists to go along with 11 digs. It is her fourth double-double of the season.
Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed was another standout. She posted 11 kills at a hit rate of .290. It’s her second-highest hitting percentage in a match this season. She also chipped in defensively with 7 digs and 1 block assist.
Freshman middle blocker Rylea Alvin was also a contributor. She scored 5 kills with a hit rate of .231. Two2 of her kills came in the final set and added to NIU’s momentum down the stretch.
Talking about her mindset late in games, Alvin explained she has confidence in her attack
“I just have a mindset, you know, I’m going to kill the ball every time I go up to attack,” Alvin said. “It always just helps to have my mindset and have positive self-talk.”
UP NEXT
The Huskies look to build on the win as they continue their season at 6 p.m on Friday in DeKalb at Victor E. Court against Ohio University. Live streaming will be available on ESPN+ and live stats will be available through SIDEARM Sports.
