Michigan State University helped the NIU volleyball team get some more rest as it sent the Huskies packing back to DeKalb in three games Friday night.

NIU (7-4) lost 20-30, 25-30 and 19-30 in East Lansing.

“At times we played some good volleyball, but on the whole it was very mediocre,” coach Ray Gooden said. “We couldn’’t stay blow-for-blow with them and we can’t play from behind against a good team.”

The loss snapped the Huskies’ five-match win streak and now gives them a 7-4 record on the season.

The Spartans (8-2) were ranked No. 21 according to the USA Today/AVCA Coaches Poll.

“We played satisfactory volleyball against a good team tonight,” Gooden said. “That’’s how things are going to end up if we play like that.”

The difference in the match was in the hitting percentage category. The Spartans boasted a .352 hitting percentage while the Huskies were held to a .103 average.

Tenisha Wilkins led NIU with eight kills while fellow outside hitter Tera Lobdell notched seven. Wilkins and Lobdell also led the Huskies in digs with nine apiece.

Jen VonderHaar controlled the net for NIU again, with four blocking assists and a solo block. The four blocking assists were a match-high.

Jenny Rood, Sara Villwock and Kim Schram led the balanced Spartans attack with 12 kills apiece.