Some might think winning the first game of a match is a sure way to victory. Losing the next three games isn’t the way to achieve that goal.

The Huskies (8-6) lost to Illinois State University (4-8) after taking the first game 30-28, but losing the next three with finals of 24-30, 20-30 and 18-30 in Normal on Wednesday.

The last time NIU won the first game and lost the match was against Indiana University on Aug. 31.

“It all came down to effort tonight, and we didn’t have it,” coach Ray Gooden said. “We made too many mistakes and let them get momentum. They’re not a 4-8 team. They probably just haven’t been able to get the momentum on their side.”

On Aug. 30, the Redbirds took down ex-NIU coach and current Florida State University coach Todd Kress in three games.

The Redbirds more than doubled the Huskies in hitting percentages and had 30 more kills as they finished with 79.

Middle hitter Jen VonderHaar and outside hitter Tera Lobdell started strong in the first game as they combined for 12 kills. Jenny Rohren also handed out 13 of her team-high 34 assists.

After winning the first game, the latest that NIU held a lead in the match was 9-8 in the second game.

In the third and fourth games, the Huskies were behind 15-25 and they were nearly doubled as they fell behind 14-26 in the fourth game.

ISU had four players with more than 10 kills. Staci Boyce led the Redbirds with 21 kills. Kelly Rikli also had 66 assists.

VonderHaar led NIU with 15 kills and a .375 hitting percentage. She was the only Huskie with a hitting percentage over .200.

“Jen has been playing great for us all year,” Gooden said. “We just need to get some more people going and have consistency out of everyone.”

Lobdell pitched in with 13 kills to go along with her 11 digs. Her and VonderHaar were the only Huskies to reach double-digits in kills.