DeKALB - Led by a strong defensive performance, holding its opposition to a .035 hitting percentage, zero service aces and blocking eight attempts, the NIU volleyball team (15-4, 7-0 MAC) won its 10-straight match as all-15 Huskies contributed in a straight set victory over Buffalo (2-18, 1-6 MAC), 25-17, 25-16, 25-18.

Meg Wolowicz (Manitowoc, Wis./Manitowoc Lincoln) stuffed six attempts, including one solo, while the Huskies main attackers - Mary Grace Kelly (Strongsville, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit), Taylor Krage (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) and Jenna Radtke (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson) - all totaled at least nine kills and hit over .391 in the match.

"It nice for everyone to get a hand in the win tonight and big thanks to the crowd, again, for bringing their energy," said Head Coach Ray Gooden. "It was nice to see us continuing the homestand in a positive way and individually we had some people with some good numbers but it was great to see everyone contribute tonight."

Kelly set the tone for the NIU offense as she totaled six kills and assisted in one block to pace the Huskies with 6.5 points. With NIU controlling the first set, Buffalo rallied back and closed the gap to two points, 17-15, until an 8-2 scoring run ended the period to put the Huskies on top through one set.

Northern Illinois University swung a heavy hand in the second stanza, posting a match-high 16 kills versus the Bulls, paced by Radtke's seven. After totaling three blocks in the opening frame, NIU returned with three more blocks as Wolowicz stopped two of UB's attacks.

Serving for offensive disruption in the final set, NIU forced Buffalo to commit nine errors while only allowing six kills to hold the Bulls to a -.130 attacking percentage.

Though Buffalo was in the red offensively, both sides were impassioned early as the set was tied, 10-10. The insertion of freshman Brinley Milbrath (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/John F. Kennedy) proved to be a difference defensively for NIU as she made her presence known with two block assists alongside Wolowicz in the middle.

Krage finished the match strong for the Huskies, totaling four kills in the set. Buffalo rallied for two points with NIU sitting on match point but a kill by Autumn Martin (Tyrone, Ga./Florida International) sealed the win for the Huskies, 25-18.

Radtke led Northern Illinois University with 12 kills and a .526 hitting percentage while Buffalo's Valisha Watkins had seven kills and Megan Wernette had five kills and hit for a .231 clip.

The Huskies will close the weekend versus Akron tomorrow night at 7 p.m., in Victor E. Court.