DeKALB — Volleyball won their first game of two homecoming games they have this weekend, defeating the Eastern Michigan University Eagles in four sets 3-1.

In the first set, the Huskies got off to a quick 10-5 lead. They would not lose control at any point in the set going on to take a comfortable first set win with a score of 25-16.

The second set was a much closer one as the two teams would be tied a total of seven times and trade the lead six times. The Huskies would take the momentum once again, going on a 4-0 run midway through the match to create separation between them and Eagles for an 18-13 lead. NIU would go on to win the set with a score of 25-20. 

The Eagles would battle back in the third set but it was back and forth once again with a total of five tied scores in the third set. The Eagles would have the lead through the set without ever really taking full control until the end. The Eagles would see their biggest lead of four come with the final score of 25-21.

The fourth set saw the Huskies take a quick three-point lead of 4-1. The Eagles would try to climb out of the deficit throughout the match but to no avail. Huskies would win the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.

Head volleyball coach Ray Gooden spoke what he thought was the biggest key for the team to win a big conference matchup.

“We scraped the way we needed to tonight,” Gooden said. “I thought we did a good job of staying composed and making the proper play when we needed it.”

Junior outside hitter Katie Jablonski finished with 19 kills while freshman middle blocker Charli Atiemo finished with 16 kills of her own.

The Huskies face off against the Eagles again at 7 p.m. Saturday for the second and final home game during Homecoming week.