DeKALB – NIU Volleyball (3-13, 1-5 MAC) fell to the Ohio University Bobcats (7-10, 3-3 MAC) in three sets Friday. It is the fifth time the Huskies have been swept this season.
COMING UP SHORT
Every set was decided by three or fewer points and the Huskies led at some point in all of them.
The first set was tight. NIU struggled with their efficiency in this set, posting 8 attack errors and hitting at a rate of .212. Both marks were worse than the Bobcats’ 2 errors and .355 hitting rate. NIU ultimately fell 25-22.
The second set was the closest of the evening. It went to a deuce and the Huskies fell 27-25 as they gave up a 5-1 run to close the set. NIU errored 8 times on the attack again and were smothered defensively as the Bobcats recorded 7 of their 12 total blocks in this frame.
NIU volleyball head coach Sondra D’Amore acknowledged the Huskies’ struggles against the front line and highlighted playing against big blocks as an area in need of improvement.
“That (blocking) is one of their strengths. And I think we’re going to see quite a bit of size moving forward,” D’Amore said. “We’ll have to be crafty and find ways to execute better against a big block.”
The third set saw the Huskies struggle to close. They led 20-15 but the Bobcats would rally and close the set out 10-3 including a 6-0 run. NIU again posted 8 attack errors compared to Ohio’s 4. The Bobcats front line continued to shut down NIU’s offense in this frame posting another 3 blocks.
Speaking on the errors, D’Amore said the focus is on finding a balance on the attack.
“I think we’re trying to find that balance of being fearless and aggressive but also keeping the ball in play,” D’Amore said. “That’s hard to do sometimes when you’re swinging for kills and just missing by a lot because we don’t want to be passive either, because that’s not going to work at this level. It’s just finding somewhere in the middle.”
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
Freshman setter Ella Strausberger was a standout performer in this game. Strausberger led with 40 assists and also was aggressive on the attack posting a season-high 4 kills on 6 attempts. She also contributed on defense with 3 digs and 2 block assists.
Speaking about her increased aggression, Strausberger credited her teammates for giving her openings.
“My attackers being aggressive on the pins really allowed the middles to start cheating,” Strausberger said. “So I was able to have a hole in their defense and it kind of held their block.”
Senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo was another standout. Atiemo led in kills with 13 and was efficient on her attack with a .240 hit rate.
Junior outside hitter Nazli Güvener also shined in this game. She was tied for second on the team in kills with 9 and hit at a rate of .375. She also chipped in on defense with 2 digs and 1 block assist.
UP NEXT
NIU looks to recoup at 5 p.m. Thursday in Ypsilanti, Michigan, against Eastern Michigan University. Streaming can be found on ESPN+ and live stats can be found on StatBroadcast.
