In Game 5 of a crucial conference match it was the play of a freshman that jump-started the Huskies to victory in five games.

Setter Kerri Royer came to serve with the Huskies (11-8 overall, 4-3 MAC) down 1-2 in the last game and shined. Royer rallied off six straight points and had one of her game-high four service aces to help give the Huskies what seemed to be a comfortable 9-3 lead.

However, Miami (Ohio) went on its own 8-0 run to regain the lead.

NIU wouldn’t be denied though. Tera Lobdell slammed home a kill from the left side that was deflected out of bounds by a pair of RedHawk blockers to end the game and match.

“It was exciting,” Royer said of being on the court. “The game was very exciting, but the team keeps me calm, helps me breathe.”

Lobdell had a game-high 20 kills and added a double-double with 10 digs.

With Miami playing an unfamiliar defensive style, the Huskies racked up a lot of kills, but saw a low hitting percentage. Tenisha Wilkins had 16 kills and 22 digs, but had an attack percentage of .178. Lobdell had a team-high attacking percentage of .217.

“They played a different defense than the rest of the teams we played against,” Lobdell said. “The shots that are open in other games weren’t open so we had to adjust.”

Production was few and far between on the offensive side for NIU’s middle blockers, but both Rena Widboom and Alex Hofmann contributed defensively.

Widboom had a block solo and six block assists while Hofmann had a block solo of her own and four block assists.

Widboom hit only .077 with seven kills offensively.

“We look to Rena to help block balls, if she can do that we can live with the hitting,” coach Ray Gooden said. “Her blocking tonight was good. That’s what Rena brings.”

Despite a team hitting percentage of .121 and having to come back from a 2-1 deficit, the Huskies were excited to get a win. This was evident after being embarrassed last weekend at the hands of Marshall and Eastern Michigan at home.

“For us right now, any and every match that we play and win is a big win,” Gooden said.