Volleyball leads MAC conference

DeKALB | The Huskies traveled to Ohio this weekend to take on two Mid-American Conference opponents: Ohio University Bobcats and Kent State University Golden Flashes.

The team defeated both opponents in five sets, earning its 12th consecutive victory. The win over Kent State Saturday night put the Huskies at 10-0 in the MAC, which is the first time they have began the season with 10 straight conference wins since 1993.

Ohio University

The weekend began in Athens, Ohio, against the Bobcats in a hard fought battle that ended with NIU winning the match in five sets, (25-20, 25-23, 18-25, 17-25, 15-9).

Senior middle blocker Jenna Radtke set the tone for the match as she led with a career-high 21 kills. This is the second consecutive match Radtke has recorded a career high in kills, passing her record of 20 against University of Akron Oct. 15.

“Jenna knew she had to step up at times throughout the match, but she made some critical plays for us in the fifth set,” said Head Coach Ray Gooden, according to NIU Athletic’s website. “She made some key plays, but she did a great job of helping us in our transition to create some offense.”

On the defensive side, junior defensive setter Anna Brereton recorded a season high of 25 digs.

The Huskies controlled the match against Ohio early, taking a two-set lead after winning the first two sets 25-20 and 25-23. Ohio won the second two sets 25-18 and 25-17, but NIU won the fifth and final set 15-9 to defeat Ohio three sets to two.

“[Friday] was great theater, and we did a great job of winning the right points,” Gooden said, according to NIU Athletics website. “The second set was indicative of that.”

Kent State University

The second match of the weekend against Kent State was close as the teams split the first four sets, alternating wins, 19-25, 25-22, 25-10 and 22-25.

Senior outside hitter Mary Grace Kelly led the Huskies with 21 kills in the matches. Brereton led the Huskies on defense again with 33 digs.

Gooden was pleased with the way his team perservered in such a tough matchup.

“There were a lot of ebbs and flows in the match tonight, and we did the things we had to win the match; winning the right points,” Gooden said, according to NIU Athletics website.

The Huskies will continue their season against Western Michigan University 6 p.m. Thursday in Kalamazoo, Michigan.