DeKALB | NIU volleyball coach Ray Gooden knows there is no such thing as an easy game in the MAC.

His theory proved correct Saturday night as his team faced off against Central Michigan on the road.

The Chippewas came out strong and won the first two games before the Huskies buckled down and pulled out the match, winning 24-30, 26-30, 30-21, 30-25, 15-11.

NIU’s first conference win came at Eastern Michigan Friday where they won 27-30, 30-27, 30-20, 30-28.

“The girls did a real good job of recouping [against CMU],” Gooden said. “Everyone just had to focus. After the second game we had a chance to assess what was going on. We know we’re capable of doing good things.”

Kate McCullagh led all attackers with 26 kills. Mandi Caputo, Jody Hardwick and Gina Guide performed well defensively with each going for more that 15 digs. Guide led the bunch with 19.

According to Gooden, however, much of the Huskies’ success came at the hands of Irene Johnson and Laura Baetzel.

“I thought they were a big help with their blocking,” said Gooden. “That was one of the big things for us down the stretch.”

The Huskies improve to 9-5 overall and 2-0 in the MAC, while Central Michigan falls to 11-3 and 1-1.

“Every game in conference is going to be a war and every time we win it’s huge,” said Gooden. “It’s all about us playing how we know how. Against Eastern Michigan we did that, but against Central we forgot it at times.”

Against EMU, McCullagh and Meagan Schoenrock did most of the offensive damage for NIU, combining for 37 kills, 23 and 14 respectively. Caputo did her job setting them up and recorded 52 assists on the night.

On Thursday the Huskies will attempt to complete the Great Lakes State sweep as they head to Western Michigan.

Andy Pruski is a Sports Reporter for the Northern Star.