NIU volleyball (3-18, 1-10 MAC) lost its second game in a row to the Ball State University Cardinals (14-8, 7-4 MAC) in three sets. It is the fourth time in a row the Huskies have been swept.
NIU led early in the first set going up 7-4. That was the height of the set as the Huskies lead would dwindle and eventually fall 25-14. NIU hit at a rate of .103 to Ball State’s .387. Ball State also notched 3 service aces in this frame.
The second frame saw the Huskies go up 6-4, but the lead didn’t last. NIU was out-hit by Ball State in the first frame, posting 10 kills to the Cardinal’s 17. They also hit at a lower percentage with a .143 hit rate to Ball State’s .156. The Cardinals posted another 2 service aces in this set en route to close it out 25-21.
The third set saw NIU go down 8-4 early and never bounce back. The Huskies lost 25-18, never leading in the third set. The Cardinals were efficient at the line with a game high 4 service aces in this set and hit at a rate of .308 to the Huskies .161.
NIU volleyball head coach Sondra D’Amore gave credit to the Cardinals ability to move the ball around with variety.
“They just moved the ball around really well,” D’Amore said. “They’re pegging the end line, they’re dropping you short, they’re serving with pace. That’s definitely tough to be getting that much pressure and that much variety.”
TOP HUSKIES
Junior middle blocker Savanah Brandt led the Huskies with 7 kills, hitting at a rate of .385. Her 7 kills marks her season high, beating her previous best of 6 on Sept. 13 against Rhode Island.
Brandt explained her laid-back mindset heading into the matchup.
“I kind of went in with the mindset that I was just going to go out there and have a good time,” Brandt said. “This season hasn’t been exactly what we wanted but I’m trying to look at it from a different perspective, kind of focus on what we can control in those moments.”
Senior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic also led NIU with 7 kills and contributed defensively with 3 digs and 3 block assists.
Freshman middle blocker Rylea Alvin led the team defensively with 5 block assists and 1 solo block.
When asked about her work on the front line, Alvin credited getting Ball State out of their play style and her determined mentality.
“We did a good job of keeping them out of system, which obviously blocking out of system with the ball is easier,” Alvin said. “I was just like, ‘all right, I’m going to drop that hand. I’m going to get a block. It was just a determinism mentality,’ I just went up there and put a big block up and just kept that momentum going.”
TOP CARDINALS
Freshman outside hitter Carson Tyler was second on the team in kills with 10 and also led with 3 service aces. She also chipped in defensively, popping up 5 digs.
Junior opposite Madison Buckley led the Cardinals in kills with 14 and hit at a rate of .636. She also contributed on defense with 2 digs and 1 block assist.
Senior setter Megan Wielonski led with 20 assists and 3 service aces. She also had a double-double, leading the Cardinals with 12 digs.
UP NEXT
NIU volleyball will continue their season at 5 p.m. Friday in Buffalo, New York, against the University of Buffalo. Live streaming will be available on ESPN+ and live stats will be available on SIDEARM Sports.