DeKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University volleyball team continues its current four-match homestand this week with two matches against the Akron Zips this Thursday and Friday, March 4-5. First serve for both matches is 4 p.m. at Victor E. Court.
 
NIU (5-7, 5-7 MAC) split its home series against the Miami RedHawks last week. The Huskies bounced back from a 2-1 deficit last Thursday to win 3-2 (25-20, 17-25, 19-25, 25-23, 15-11). NIU hit .333 in the final set of the victory, it's fourth in a row. Katie Jablonski (Elburn, Ill./New Hampshire) led the NIU offense with 15 kills, adding 11 digs and four blocks. Kaitlyn Bell (De Soto, Kan./De Soto) had 11 kills and three blocks. The Huskies had a season-high 13 blocks in that win led by Jasmine Kemp's (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) eight and Kennedy Wallace's (Kansas City, Kan./Piper) five.
 
The Huskies are tied for second in the Mid-American Conference in blocks per set at 2.24 per set. NIU has had at least nine blocks in a match eight times this season, with five matches of double-digit blocks. Over the last six matches the Huskies are averaging 2.43 blocks per set led by Wallace's 1.23 blocks per set and Kemp's 1.06 blocks per set. That duo is seventh and ninth, respectively, in the MAC in blocks per set.
 
Akron (3-9, 3-9 MAC) is coming off a pair of losses at Central Michigan last week, losing 3-2 last Thursday and 3-1 last Friday. Senior setter Emily Weigand leads the conference in aces with 29 on the season. Libero Taylor Sharrits is second in the MAC in digs with 6.11 per set. As a team, the Zips are tied atop the MAC in service aces with 1.53 per set.
 
Although fans are unable to attend NIU volleyball matches this season, you can still make your presence felt in Victor E. Court by purchasing a cutout as part of the "Huskie Howl" presented by First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO). For just $60, fans can put their image on a cutout that will remain in place in Victor E. Court for all NIU volleyball matches during the 2021 spring season. Net proceeds from all fan cutouts will benefit the Huskie Athletic Fund. Click here to order your cutout.
 
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