Volleyball’s third-game rally falls just short

By ANDY PRUSKI

About the only consistent aspect of the NIU volleyball team’s game is being inconsistent.

The Huskies continued this shaky trend Tuesday night as they were swept on the road by UIC.

The Flames controlled both ends of the floor, winning the match handily 19-30, 22-30, 27-30.

“We just had a tough night,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “UIC came out jacked up. They played a very fundamentally sound game.”

UIC (7-4) came at NIU (5-7) from all angles, boasting four players in double-digit kills.

Senior Amanda Kenny led all players with 15 kills while sophomore Katerina Hanackova added 12.

Sophomore middle hitter Lana Lobdell was efficient going for 11 kills while posting a .625 clip.

“She was a good aggressive middle,” Gooden said. “She was getting some good sets and took advantage.”

Led by senior Laura Baetzel, the NIU offense came alive in the third game as they came back from a 19-27 deficit to pull within three at 28-25.

However that is as close as they would get as UIC put the clamps on and won 30-27.

“We started competing harder,” Gooden said. “We saw some flashes but that wasn’t until towards the end.”

Baetzel was the only NIU player to reach double digit kills with 13. Sophomore outside hitter Meagan Schoenrock was second on the team with eight.