The NIU volleyball team’s record fell below .500 for the first time this season, after the Huskies lost to Minnesota Saturday 8-15, 15-5, 15-12, 15-8 at Minneapolis.

The Huskies’ record stands at 11-12, while the Gophers moved their slate to 18-9.

Although the NIU squad was disappointed in its loss, it was not unhappy with its aggressive play.

“We worked well together,” outside hitter Amy Garrett said. “It was disappointing to lose, but we played with them, which is a step in the right direction.”

After a full week of high-intensity practices, the NIU squad stunned the Gophers. The Huskies jumped out strongly by winning the first game, but they could not hold on to the advantage.

“We had very good intensity,” coach Herb Summers said. “We forced them to do things that we wanted them to do, but not everyone was necessarily alert for the ball to come back.”

NIU was hurt by its own service receiving. Minnesota tallied 17 service aces, 10 of which were off the hand of UM’s Sharon Oesterling. Oesterling is one of the Gophers’ court leaders, ranking as the top Big Ten setter and No. 12 nationally in assists.

“She had a jump serve which was hard to handle,” NIU captain Anne Polaski said.

“I didn’t think our passing was real bad,” Garrett said. “She (Oesterling) hurt us real bad.”

Summers said he liked his players’ hustle and their willingness to try and fight back.

“We worked hard to compete the entire match,” Summers said. “Getting behind didn’t dampen our situation.”

Polaski stood out for NIU in the match. She was the match’s leading hitter with a .241 attack percentage.

In play against Big Ten Schools, the Huskies have not faired well. NIU has lost to Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and now Minnesota. The Huskies have one more chance to prove themselves against Big Ten competitors this season when they compete against Northwestern Nov. 10.