MOUNT PLEASANT, MI – The Northern Illinois University volleyball team was swept in a weekend series for the second time this season as the Central Michigan Chippewas defeated the Huskies 3-1 (25-14, 25-18, 23-25, 25-20) at McGuirk Arena.
 
The Huskies struggled offensively, hitting just .037 for the match. Senior Kennedy Wallace (Kansas City, Kan./Piper) led NIU with 10 kills, adding four digs and a pair of blocks. Ella Mihacevich (Brunswick, Ohio/Padua Franciscan), Brianna Scuric (East Troy, Wis./East Troy), and Katie Jablonski (Elburn, Ill./New Hampshire) each had eight kills. Kennedy Shelley (Burlington, Colo./Lewis-Palmer) had a team-high 20 digs.
 
"Unfortunately we left too many points out there today," said head coach Ray Gooden. "We can do a better job of controlling the things that are on our side. I thought we did a solid job serve-receive wise. It's just a matter of being able to find the court on the other side more consistently.
 
Central Michigan (3-3, 3-3 MAC) used a 9-2 run in the opening set to take a 10-4 lead. The Huskies got within five at 14-9 following kills from Jablonski and Kaitlyn Bell (De Soto, Kan./De Soto). The Chippewas responded with another 9-2 run, capped by kills from Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez, Savannah Thompson, and Megan Sivertsen to go up 22-12. Central Michigan hit .407 in the first set to NIU's -.032 to win it 25-14.
 
NIU (1-5, 1-5 MAC) took an early 6-3 lead in the second behind four kills from Bell and Wallace. The Huskies led 8-5 when Central Michigan went on a 6-2 run punctuated by a Maddie Whitfield kill to take a 12-10 lead. NIU came back to tie the set at 14 but an Anna Erickson kill started a five-point Chippewas run that put Central Michigan ahead 19-14. The Chippewas closed the set on a 6-2 run to win it 25-18 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The Huskies got an offensive spark from Mihacevich to start the third set. The freshman put down three kills in the first nine points to give NIU a 7-2 lead. After Central Michigan went on a 4-1 run to take an 8-6 lead, the Huskies took the next four points as back-to-back Scuric kills put NIU ahead 12-6. The Chippewas battled back with a 6-1 run later in the set to take a 17-16 lead. Central Michigan led 22-19 when NIU closed the set on a 6-1 run to win the set 25-23. Mihacevich had three kills in that final stretch, giving her seven for the set to keep NIU in the match.
 
"Ella's versatile and that's one of her many talents," said Gooden. "For her to do whatever it takes for our team to find success, she steps up to do it. I'm happy for her to fine some positives to help our team on today. Whenever she's on the floor, we feel positive things that happen."

The fourth set was a battle of runs throughout. The Chippewas started on a 4-1 run with the Huskies going on a 6-2 run to take a 7-6 lead. With the set tied at 13, a Kamryn Olson kill started a 5-1 run that put Central Michigan up 18-14. NIU responded with a 6-1 run highlighted by a Grace Balensiefer (Lafayette, Ind./McCutcheon) ace to take a 20-19 lead. Central Michigan made the last run, winning the last six points to take the set 25-19 and the match 3-1.   
 
Central Michigan hit .214 in the match and held a 14.0-10.0 advantage in blocks. Thompson led all players with 19 kills.
 
NIU hosts Eastern Michigan next week for a two-match series at Victor E. Court. The Huskies and Eagles open their series on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.
 
--NIU--