For the first two games during its match against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the NIU volleyball team had everything going for them. The Huskies were up 2-0, Victor E. Court was full of celebratory fans and the band was keeping everyone moving.

Two games later the atmosphere was deflated as NIU found itself tied 2-2 and going into a game five.

Unfortunately for the Huskies, they never got that crowd back as they fell 30-28 30-28 26-30 24-30 11-15.

“You kind of think you have it in the bag after winning the first two,” NIU outside hitter Meagan Schoenrock said. “We knew they were a good team though so we had to stay focused but we came out on the bottom.”

The win keeps the Cougars win streak alive at 11, with an 11-1 overall record, while it drops NIU to 6-8.

“[Wisconsin-Miwaukee] is an experienced team,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “They’ve been in that situation before down 2-0 and they just don’t know how to quit.”

Defense was key in the Cougars comeback as NIU attackers struggled to find the floor. As a team, they had 99 digs.

“It’s very tough,” Schoenrock said. “You have to find open spots and when you can’t do that you get frustrated and start wailing away.”

Sophomore designated setter Lauren Felsing led the Cougars with 24 digs, while senior Jamie Gabrielsen added 20 while hitting for a match-high 27 kills.

Senior Setter Leanne Felsing stole the show for the Cougars as she had a triple-double through the first three games. She finished with 20 kills, 36 assists and 19 digs.

Schoenrock led the Huskies with 24 kills, 12 of which came in the first two games which NIU won. From there, NIU’s offense struggled as their hitting percentage dropped continually in the first four games.

“They’re a good team,” Gooden said. “You have to play until the ref blows the whistle because they’re always battling. We did things well early on and were playing focused.”

Freshman outside-hitter Dani D’Ambrose played solid for the Huskies, recording 16 kills and 17 digs.

Senior Laura Baetzel added 14 kills.