For the second time in as many years, the NIU volleyball team’s season ended in a five-game loss.

Last season, the Huskies had their season cut short by Western Michigan, a loss that prevented NIU from making the MAC tournament.

The Huskies (20-11 overall, 8-8 MAC) lost to Akron on Friday at Ball State with a final of 30-25, 25-30, 30-27, 15-30 and 15-11.

Akron (16-12, 11-5) is now 8-3 in five-game matches this season.

“Akron has been doing this all year,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “They won a couple points at the right time, and unfortunately, the ball didn’t bounce our way like it did in the fourth game.”

In the fourth game, NIU held Akron to the lowest point total of the season: 15.

“We dominated that game,” Gooden said. “It was great; probably the most dominant performance we’ve had in a single game all year.”

It was the first time NIU held a team to 15 points since Sept. 13 against Stony Brook.

Junior outside hitter Tera Lobdell broke the single-season record for kills (492) after she had 18 on the night. Lobdell also had eight digs and nine total blocks. She passed assistant coach Tenisha Wilkins’ single-season mark set in 2000 by 16 kills.

“Tera is developing throughout her career here,” Gooden said. “In order for us to be successful, she was going to have to be a high-point scorer this year. She really worked on her blocking and defense, and has been that player putting up 20 points a night for us.”

Senior Brooke Dodson had 16 kills and 16 digs in her final collegiate game.

Freshman middle blocker Kate McCullagh tied a MAC tournament record with 10 blocking assists. The Huskies also had 18 blocks on the night, good for fourth-highest in MAC tourney history.

Freshman libero Gina Guide is now No. 3 all-time in digs in a season for a Huskie after her 22 digs against Akron.

Ohio won the MAC tournament over Marshall in straight games on Sunday. Laura Hageman, a two-time MAC Player of the Year, was named tournament Most Valuable Player for Ohio.