NIU volleyball looked to end its miserable six-game losing streak at Western Michigan University Tuesday night, but victory stays elusive as the regular season winds down. The Huskies (10-11, 3-9 MAC) couldn’t keep up their defense, and the Broncos (21-13, 9-3 MAC) reminded NIU why they’re the reigning Mid-American Conference champions.
Western Michigan refused to relive their last match against NIU, and the Huskies couldn’t recreate their victory over the Broncos earlier in the season. NIU got swept 0-3 to drop their seventh consecutive game.
“There were many highs tonight,” head volleyball coach Sondra D’Amore said via text. “We just struggled to convert in big moments and had one too many unforced errors.”
DEFENSELESS
The Huskies went through the entire match without recording any blocks, and the Broncos reached double digits in service aces early in the third set.
“Western did a good job of moving the ball around,” D’Amore said via text. “They swung high and were really smart. I give them a lot of credit for their level of execution off our block.”
Sophomore outside hitter Emma McCartney showed out on both sides of the ball against the Broncos, leading the team with 9 kills and 15 digs, while also making 1 assist. McCartney noted that the road games have been taking a toll on the Huskies.
“Having to travel again quickly after Akron is tough,” McCartney said via text. “My mindset was to make every play count to keep us in the game, whether that was getting the ball up for my setters or putting the ball away for the team. Western Michigan was ready for us, and we just didn’t have it today.”
Junior middle blocker Autumn Flynn tied McCartney’s 9 kills and also added 2 digs.
Senior right side Alexa Hayes helped the offense with 5 kills, and helped on the floor with 6 digs. Freshman outside hitter Naomi Dowd landed 6 kills and picked up 1 dig, and sophomore outside hitter Ava Grevengoed contributed 4 kills and 3 digs.
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
With six games left in the regular season, the Huskies are fighting to return to their September form as they face their last few MAC opponents. D’Amore believes there is still hope to finish the season with a winning record.
“I told the team our focus is to continue to have intention and heart with the rest of the season,” D’Amore said via text. “Anything is possible, and our goal is to continue to get better and focus on us. I’m confident we can turn it around and fight to have a winning season with the matches we have left!”
Sophomore and redshirt junior setters Ella Strausberger and Kylie Schulze combined for 34 assists, recording 19 and 15, respectively. They also made 1 service ace each. Strausberger tacked on 1 kill and 4 digs, and Schulze picked up 6 digs.
McCartney said the team is ready to come back home and finish the season out strong.
“We come home for two weekends, so that will be nice for the home court energy and give us more time to be ready for Ohio and Buffalo,” McCartney said via text. “Our goal is to finish out strong in the conference. I know we can do it. We just need to stay strong and focused each point.”
UP NEXT
The Huskies return home for Huskie Halloween at 6 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats provided on SIDEARM Sports
