Final Stats

DeKALB - The NIU volleyball team (3-4) opened strong in the Shockers Volleyball Classic against host Wichita State (4-3), winning the opening set but with home court advantage on its side, the Shockers defeated the Huskies in four sets, 24-26, 25-23, 25-16, 25-17.

Huskies Jenna Radtke (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson) amassed 13 kills with a .400 attacking percentage while T'ara Austin (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central) led all attackers in the match with 17 kills, totaling 53 attacks for a .220 clip. In the back line, Anna Brereton (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) had 24 digs with a flawless receive percentage.

“Our focus heading into the weekend was us and taking care of what we can do. I thought we handled the ball well and we served strategically tonight. We were much improved receiving tonight as well,” said Head Coach Ray Gooden. “It was a great environment to play in.”

NIU led 22-16 late in the first set but a 7-1 run by the Shockers tied the match, 23-23. The Huskies took advantage of WSU's nine attacking errors and clinched the match in deuce, 26-24, as setter Alexis Gonzalez (Fresno, Calif./Bullard) recorded a service ace just inside the back line for the final point. Radtke led all attackers with six kills, hitting .500 in the set.

After the second frame opened in tight fashion, with neither team taking more than a two point lead, Wichita State became the first team to lead by more than three points, 12-9. The Huskies would go on to trail by six points, 18-12, until a 9-3 run by NIU tied the match, 21-21. Though the Huskies climbed within one point at Wichita State's set point, the Shockers clinched the set with a 25-23 victory. Austin and Radtke both totaled five kills in the tilt.

The Huskies were unable to counter the Shockers strong attack in the third as they totaled an impressive 19 kills and hit .450 in the set to take a 2-1 lead in the match, 25-16. Wichita State followed up with another 19 kills in the fourth set to clinch the set and match, 25-17. Austin finished strong with six kills in the frame.

While on the attack, Gonzalez totaled a season-high 41 assists on 50 of the Huskies kills with a setting percentage of .350.

“T’ara stepped up tonight on the attack with some of our personnel changes and Jenna had another positive performance. I think Anna had one of her best performances as a Huskie. She had great control defensively tonight,” Gooden added.

NIU will return to action tomorrow night for its second match of the Shocker Volleyball Classic versus Texas State. First serve is set for 5:30 p.m.