Volleyball (7-9, 3-1 MAC) went 1-1 last weekend, losing to Ball State but bouncing back with a win against Toledo.

Ball State

Ball State led for the majority of the set and held a 24-18 lead, but NIU put up an effort toward the end. Despite the comeback attempt, Ball State took the set 25-19.

The Huskies opened the second set with a much quicker start than they did in the first, but Ball State managed to hold even as both teams were tied 8-8. NIU stretched the lead as the set went on, coming up with key plays defensively in blocking. Junior middle blocker Lauren Zielinski tied it at 18-18 after the Cardinals took the lead midway through the set. The Huskies kept close but couldn’t capture the lead as Ball State won another set, ending it 25-21.

The Cardinals led again in the third set as they went ahead 11-9 early on, but the Huskies remained neck-and-neck throughout. The Cardinals took an 18-15 lead and were able to maintain the lead throughout the set. Both teams went back-and-forth, but Ball State came out on top, winning 25-21 and taking the match.

Toledo

NIU got off to quick starts in the first two sets of the game, winning both sets by considerable margins. The Huskies took the first set 25-12 and the second 25-16.

Toledo kept things much closer in the third as the score was tied at 14-14 midway through the set. Toledo grabbed its first lead, going ahead 22-17 late in the set. The Huskies trimmed the lead with a chance at its third straight set win, but couldn’t close the gap as the Rockets won 25-22.

NIU came out the same way they did in the first two sets, taking a 10-3 early lead. The Rockets were never able to make a dent as the Huskies won 26-15 to take the match.

Junior outside hitter T’ara Austin had a career-high 31 kills and 63 total attacks in the match. It was the first 30-kill match by an NIU player since 2011 when Mackenzie Roddy accomplished the feat.

NIU will move on as they go head-to-head with Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio), beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday in Kalamazoo, Mich. and ending at 7 p.m. Saturday at Victor E. Court.