Even when you play with more heart, you sometimes come out on the losing end, NIU volleyball’s Kate McCullagh said. Such was the case Friday.

After beating No. 10-seed Toledo Tuesday, the Huskies headed to Bowling Green for its quarterfinal match against No. 2 Ball State.

Despite a five-match winning streak and two-games-to-one lead, the Huskies fell in five games to the Cardinals.

Without its leading killer, Sarah Obras, who was out with a knee injury, Ball State had five players with double-digit kills. The balanced attack allowed BSU to take control of the match early by winning Game 1. But NIU was able to come back and win Games 2 and 3.

After that, NIU needed just one more win to advance and take on No. 3-seed Marshal, but was unable to close out the match.

“That was the hardest we have ever fought,” McCullagh said. “We never gave up, and we had so much more heart, but I guess they just had more talent.”

After the game, NIU coach Ray Gooden thanked his team and said he was proud of the way they went out, even though no one likes to end on a loss.

McCullagh and Tera Lobdell led the team with 20 and 31 kills, respectively. The Huskies also had 99 digs, with Lobdell and Gina Guide leading the way with 22 each.

Ohio won the MAC championship Sunday for the second year in a row with a sweep over Marshall.