Mistakes were at an abundance for the NIU volleyball team as it lost to Ball State at home for the first time since 1989.

Not only did the Huskies commit 30 attack errors, they also had 11 ball handling errors, eight service errors, seven blocking errors and three service return errors.

“We had the lead in every game and made errors in streaks at the wrong times,” coach Ray Gooden said. “That’s what it comes down to.”

Setter Jenny Rohren had seven ball handling errors herself while the Ball State team had only one.

“It’s a pure error,” Gooden said. “It’s like any other error. That’s something we just can’t have. This is probably her highest assist total (61), but usually players make one or two errors a game.”

Usually reliable Jen VonderHaar contributed sloppy play as well. She had 10 errors and had an attack percentage of .171.

Sloppy play was evident as early as the first game for the Huskies as they squandered a 20-14 lead to eventually lose game one, 33-31.

BSU outside hitter Sarah Obras left the game after she injured her right ankle under the net. When play resumed the Cardinals went on a 22-16 run to take the lead for good.

In game four the Huskies also possessed a lead that they would eventually blow. While the lead was early, NIU rallied to get back to 27-27.

However, VonderHaar hit a ball into the net to give BSU a point. VonderHaar and Tenisha Wilkins ran into one another and failed to get the ball over the net on match point.