Hugs and smiles were abundant between NIU volleyball players and the alumni team on Saturday at the Campus Recreation Center. But once the two groups battled on the court it was all business, at least most of the time.

In the Salvani Spring Play Date, honoring alumna Karen Salvani (1998), the Huskies matched up against volleyball players of years past and four other universities for good fun and competition to kick off the spring season. The tournament of nine teams allowed players to face outside competition for the first time since November.

“It was really exciting because we’ve been going for nine weeks just playing against each other,” said defensive specialist Sue Hayes. “It was really exciting to play against another team in a real game situation.”

The Huskies were successful on the day, winning 11 of 12 games played in six matches. The only loss came in the second game, 22-19, against Lewis University in the opening match. Head coach Ray Gooden attributes the loss to inexperience.

“We’re still really young,” Gooden said. “There’s a lot of youth, and it showed. We weren’t really fresh. We weren’t confident.”

As the day progressed, the Huskies had many moments reminiscent of the 2010 season, in which NIU finished the season with a 27-8 overall record, the most victories since 1998.

“Every person had shining moments,” Gooden said. “We appreciate Mary [Kurisch] for being the iron man in the middle today. [She] gutted it out and did a very good job.”

The Huskies are battling several injuries, including middle blocker Sarah Angelos (mid-body) and MAC Player of the Year Lauren Wicinski (foot). Gooden is not worried about either player’s status, but will take the proper time to be ready for full competition.

Several of Kurisch’s highlights came against the alumni team in their two matches. Per tradition, the Huskies take on the alums at the end of the day, in which trash talking finds its way on both sides of the court.

Meagan Schoenrock (2009) admits the alums had some rust to shake off in their opening game against the Huskies.

“A lot of us play for fun and in adult leagues, but obviously we don’t ever practice anymore,” Schoenrock said. “We’re good sometimes, and it’s pretty bad sometimes. All around pretty rusty, but not so bad.”

Losing 25-19 and 25-13 in the first go-around, Schoenrock jokingly said payback was to be done in the afternoon meeting. Kate McCullagh (2006), NIU’s all-time kills leader (1,936), made it to DeKalb just in time to play the last match, but had a tough time handling middle blocker Kurisch.

“Kate was our first All-American here, and Mary played well against her,” Gooden said. “That’s a good thing on both sides to have Kate come back and play. It was also good to have Mary play well against her and go play with some confidence.”

Schoenrock’s hope for payback fell short, as the alums lost both games 25-22 and 25-20.

“It’s just a big rivalry and exciting to play,” Hayes said of the alumni. “They came here before us and did a great job, and we just hope we can maintain that level.”