DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University volleyball team returns to Victor E. Court this week to take on Chicago State on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and Southeast Missouri State on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Both matches will be broadcast on ESPN+.
ESPN+ is ESPN's new direct-to-consumer video platform, available at a cost of $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. It is accessible via the ESPN App on both iOS and Android devices, desktop, and TV-connected devices such as Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, and Chromecast. ESPN+ is available for a seven-day free trial and can be used on up to five streaming devices simultaneously. Matches on ESPN3 are available through the ESPN App and WatchESPN.com with pay television credentials.
"We're battling against teams," said head coach
Ray Gooden. "We're disappointed in our 2-8 record because I feel like we're better than it shows. At the same time, it is what we are. That being aside, we need to continue to find balance and try to be opportunistic and continue to trust ourselves in what we're trying to do."
NIU is back on its home court after going 1-2 at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash last weekend against Georgia Tech, Marshall, and the host Alabama. The Huskies ended a four-match losing streak on Friday night with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-21) win over Marshall.
Meg Wolowicz (Manitowoc, Wis./Manitowoc Lincoln) led all players with 14 kills as
Jori Radtke (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson) hit .440 with 11 kills, no errors, nine digs, and two blocks. Both players are in the top-10 in the MAC in kills.
"Jori has the experience to be a complete player for us," said Gooden. "Meg just continues to figure out what it takes to play her new position and what's all involved in it. As a unit, they do some pretty good things for us to help us stay in matches."
The Huskies start this week second in the Mid-American Conference in blocks, averaging 2.31 per set. NIU has averaged at least 2.5 blocks per set in six matches this season, and have outblocked their opponent in six matches as well. Last weekend, the Huskies were plus-12 on blocks including a 9-2 margin against Georgia Tech on Sept. 7.
"Amy [Angelos] has been working real hard with our group of blockers, and the group's embraced it and understands it's a point of strength," said Gooden about NIU's block so far this season. "This year, they know what they're capable of. We have a fair number of blocks, but the number of opportunities for us to block the ball is through the roof. We could have so many more blocks, but we're on balls and we're putting ourselves in spots to do it. It's just about execution."
Gooden is approaching another coaching milestone. He enters this week with 299 wins. His next victory will give him 300 for his career, making him the sixth volleyball coach in MAC history to reach that mark. Gooden, however, will take it in stride.
"It gives us our third win. If and when it happens, you deal with it in the moment. We need to defend our home court this week and go from there."
Chicago State comes into Tuesday night's match with a 5-6 record after going 1-2 at the GSU Invitational hosted by Georgia State. Senior outside hitter Lauryn Dela Cruz leads the Cougars with 3.71 kills per set with Beatriz Palmieri adding 2.66 kills per set. The Cougars hit .193 as a team and average 1.95 blocks per set.
"Coach Reeves has done a really good job to get them to play at a real competitive level," Gooden said about Chicago State. "This is not the Chicago State people think of from before. This is going to be a tough match. They have solid setting, hitters that can do some things, and they play really good defense. We have to really bring it on our home court tomorrow night because it's going to be a really big challenge for us."
Southeast Missouri State is 6-5 on the year after going 0-3 at UMKC's tournament last weekend. The Redhawks hit .231 as a team. Lauren Malloy leads Southeast Missouri with 3.18 kills per set. Madara Bajare is hitting .285 and averaging 2.72 kills per set.
"They play with a lot of confidence," said Gooden about the Redhawks. "They're going to be another big challenge. That's why we want to play these matches. These are all teams that bring something that we need to see before we get to conference. It's another opportunity for us to get better as a group."
Tuesday night's match is First Responders Night at Victor E. Court. All first responders with ID will receive free admission. NIU will hold Social Media Night for Wednesday night's match against Southeast Missouri State. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in a number of social media-centered promotions that night.
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