Final Stats

DeKALB - In a tightly contested match at Victor E. Court, the NIU Huskies (1-1) fell to Pacific (2-1) in four sets, 3-1 (27-29,25-21, 17-25, 25-21). The Huskies posted 12 blocks as a team with T’ara Austin (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central) posting one solo stop and two assisted. She also totaled 16 kills (.364) in the match.

Mary Grace Kelly (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) added 13 kills, four digs and two assisted blocks while Meg Wolowicz (Manitowoc, Wis./Manitowoc Lincoln) added two solo blocks and two more assisted stops.

After falling behind 23-20 in the first set, NIU rallied back with four-straight points to serve for match point but the Tigers battled back to even it up, 24-24. The Huskies and Tigers traded blows to a 27-27, highlighted by a clutch Jenna Radtke (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson) service ace, however, Pacific finished off the set to take the 1-0 lead, 29-27.

NIU responded in the second set, maintaining the lead for a majority of the set and building a five point lead late in the set, 21-16. Radtke would post two kills in the Huskies final five points and sealed off the set victory on a kill by Alexis Gonzales (Fresno, Calif./Bullard) to tie the match, 1-1. Gonzalez finished with 32 assists.

The Tigers controlled the third set, building a 10-point lead as they hit .407 in the frame, 20-10. NIU rallied back to within seven points but Pacific sealed the set with its 17th kill of the frame, 25-17, to take a 2-1 lead.

Once again, NIU responded in the fourth set, leading 18-16 late in the frame but errors allowed the Tigers to respond and reclaim the lead. The Huskies drew even, 21-21 on Radtke’s second service ace of the match, however, the Tigers scored four-straight points to close the match, 25-21.

“We’re going to play a lot matches like that throughout the whole year. Pacific is a really good team and they have a lot of experience,” said Head Coach Ray Gooden. “These are all learning experiences for our team right now. We’re capable of finding success we just need to learn how to do it consistently over long periods of time.”

Radtke finished the night with seven kills, two aces, five assisted blocks and one solo. Lauren Zielinski (Oak Forest, Ill./Marist) totaled nine kills in the match.

The Huskies will close the NIU Invitational tomorrow afternoon with first serve against Iowa (2-0) set for 2 p.m. The match will be aired live on ESPN3.