DAYTON, OH – The Northern Illinois University volleyball team dropped a pair of three-set matches at the Dayton Invitational Friday to the host Flyers and #14 Michigan.
"At times, we were doing some things that were pretty positive for our group against two really good teams," said head coach
Ray Gooden. "We just would hit a snag in the middle or late in each set where those teams took advantage of situations against us. But that's why we play these matches this time of year, to get this experience for later on in the season."
NIU (2-4) held an early 7-6 lead in the opening set against the Flyers. Dayton then went on a 10-2 run capped off by a block and a Bridget Doherty ace to take a 16-7 lead. The Flyers hit a blistering .483 to win set one 25-19, holding the Huskies to a .040 hitting percentage. In the second set, NIU used a 5-2 run punctuated by a
Peyton Tilly (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) solo block to take a 14-11 lead. Dayton roared right back, winning 13 of the next 14 points to go ahead 24-15. The Huskies fought off three set points but a service error gave Dayton the set 25-18. NIU hung with the Flyers in the third set with a kill by
Jasmine Kemp (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) tying the set at 18. Dayton took seven of the last nine points to win the set 25-20 and the match 3-0.
Kaitlyn Bell (De Soto, Kan./De Soto) led the Huskies with eight kills against Dayton, hitting .353. Kemp and
Brinley Milbrath (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/John F. Kennedy) each had six kills with Milbrath hitting .357. NIU hit .186 as a team with the Flyers posting a .413 hitting mark.
In their second match of the day, the Huskies fell 3-0 (19-25, 18-25, 9-25) to the fourteenth-ranked Wolverines of Michigan. Michigan hit over .400 in each set as NIU hit .097 for the match. Bell led NIU with eight kills in the afternoon match.
Kennedy Wallace (Kansas City, Kan./Piper) had seven kills and hit .364.
Grace Balensiefer (Lafayette, Ind./McCutcheon) dished out 18 assists after having 22 against Dayton.
The Huskies wrap up play in the Dayton Invitational on Saturday against Missouri. First serve is at 12 p.m.
--NIU--
