1-2-3, yer out!

Western Illinois was down and out in three games last night when the NIU women’s volleyball team played the role of bad host, sending their Mid-Continent Conference foes home with a 15-2, 15-2, 15-4 loss.

The Huskies (15-2; 9-0 in conference) out dug, out hit and out served the Westerwinds (11-6; 5-3). NIU literally creamed WIU.

Leading the show for the Huskies was Kori Schauer who returned to the lineup after sitting out last weekend with back problems.

The senior middle blocker had 17 kills in 27 attempts with three errors (.519 attack percentage).

Fellow senior Becky Ramsey stepped up to the net to record 12 kills on 17 attempts with only one error (.647 clip).

Setter Shelby Snyder delivered the ball to her hitters and picked up 41 assists in the three games. Snyder also led the team in digs with 10.

The first game started slowly, but the Huskies built a 9-0 lead in between several side-outs. After Western struggled to earn their two points, the Huskies went on to put away the next six points for the game.

The second game, however, was a little different.

The score showed the Huskies up 5-2 when Ramsey started to serve for NIU. After ten strait points and four service aces later, it was over.

The third game saw Western jump out to a quick 3-1 lead, but the Huskies shut the door just as quickly. The Westerwinds only managed one more point for the game and the Huskies swept the match.

“It was a super match for us,” said NIU head coach Pete Waite. “Western is a good team with a lot of good athletes, but as each game went on, we got better.”

The return of Schauer was a welcome sight. There was some question that she’d play.

“It was great to see (her) back out there after being out with her injured back,” Waite said.

Also coming back from injury was Dana Romans. The junior outside hitter underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season and she is slowly working her way back on the court.

“(She) did a good job coming off the bench in the third game,” Waite explained. “Her shoulder has been day to day. We’re not always sure how she’ll feel, but she looked really comfortable out on the court and made some great defensive plays (seven digs; one kill).”

The match concluded the first round-robin portion of the conference schedule. Having played the other nine teams in the conference once, the coach believes little stands in his teams path to the top.

“Overall, we did what we wanted to do. We showed all the teams in the conference that we mean business and we’re here to take the championship hands down,” Waite said.

If the first nine games in this conference are any indicator, it not only looks like no one in this conference can beat the Huskies, it’s doubtful anyone will.

“It was a super match for us. Western is a good team with a lot of good athletes, but as each game went on, we got better.”

Pete Waite

NIU volleyball head coach