Saturday’s volleyball game provided a good size crowd, but that was about it.

There was a nice mix of NIU and Toledo fans at the game. The problem was that the Toledo crowd was more vocal at the game.

Most of the Huskies fans were pretty subdued. One reason for this is the fact there were very, very few NIU students at the game. Fact is, this wasn’t too surprising. There was a football game earlier in the day so let’s face it, football games draw a better crowd than volleyball, no matter how good the volleyball team is.

The loudest people in the crowd were the prep band, who kept the noise going when the Rockets were trying to hit the ball. Actually, NIU head coach Ray Gooden could be heard over the prep band if that tells you anything about the volume of the crowd.

The one time the entire NIU crowd was into the game was when the Huskies reached game point in the first game. Even still, everyone was just standing and clapping, weakly cheering and yelling for support.

Once again, this was really no surprise. What was a surprise was the amount of people actually at the game. I don’t know if it had to do with the free T-shirts for breast cancer, but there was at least a decent, although quiet, crowd at the game.

Either way, it is volleyball on the Saturday night after a football game. So the rowdies were most likely all tuckered out from a long day of tailgating. And shame on them for forgetting about a darn good volleyball team.

Maybe it doesn’t have the hard hits or appeal that football has, but these girls are good. They handled Toledo 3-0 on Saturday.

Meagan Schoenrock has been nothing short of spectacular for the Huskies this year. There’s at least one reason to attend the games and watch one of NIU’s best athletes in action.

NIU students, your tickets are also free, just like football games. So why not attend them?

If anything the games will occupy your time and should make you feel good inside for supporting your Huskies athletics. Or maybe you should just attend the games to show your NIU pride, just like you do at football games. The volleyball players put in the same amount of time and work into their sport as football and hit the court every game to win, just like football. So it’s time to reward them for their effort by showing up and showing support.

The point is, give these girls a chance and go to the games. When you go, be loud, be proud and be a Huskie. Don’t let the Toledo or other visiting team crowd outdo you during the game when it’s not game or match point. Be the rowdy crowd the whole time, even when the Huskies are down.