Women's Volleyball | October 6

DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University volleyball team returns to Victor E. Court this weekend for a date with two Mid-American Conference foes in Bowling Green and Miami (OH). The Huskies will square off against BGSU Friday at 6 p.m. and Miami Saturday at 7 p.m.

NIU (11-4,4-1 MAC) circles back to its home court after a five-set triumph over Western Michigan (11-6,3-2 MAC) and a road trip to Buffalo (10-7,2-3 MAC) last week.

The Huskies opened the two-day series against Buffalo last Friday night at Alumni arena with a 3-0 sweep (25-20, 25-21, 25-18) before the Bulls got their revenge the following day with a straight set win (23-25, 22-25, 21-25) over the Huskies.

At the conclusion of the three-match week, setter Ella Mihacevich (Brunswick, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) and middle blocker Sammi Lockwood (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) were tabbed to the week six MAC West Players of the Week list.

Mihacevich, who's now earned two Player of the Week awards this season, broke her career high in assists (55) and digs (17) versus the Broncos. She ended the week with 116 assists (10.55/set) and 40 digs (3.64/set) to help the Huskies go 2-1.

Lockwood posted five-plus blocks in all three of NIU's matches to help her win her inaugural MAC West Defensive Player of the Week nod. The middle blocker started the week with five blocks versus WMU before logging back-to-back six-block performances versus Buffalo. In total, she garnered 17 blocks (1.55/set) through the week.

Bowling Green (9-6,4-0 MAC) enters its contest with NIU on a four-game win streak after winning its series with Kent State and Ohio. League leaders, BGSU is the only remaining team in the MAC who's undefeated in conference play. Jessica Andrews, behind Lockwood, is second in the conference in blocks-per-set with 1.21.

NIU owns a 26-17 advantage in all-time meetings with the Falcons. The last time the two met, the Huskies lost 3-0 (22-25, 16-25, 22-25). Katie Jablonski (Elburn, Ill./Kaneland) recorded a sixth-straight double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs.

Miami (6-9,1-3 MAC) sits in fifth place in the MAC East poll and is 10^th in the overall standings. The RedHawks most recently split its series with Kent State (10-5,1-3 MAC) this past weekend. Miami won the opener in five sets before falling in four in the closer. Allyson Severance (3.03 kills/set) and Ellie Hanson 2.92 kills/set) lead Miami on the attack while Brooke Jackson (2.70 digs/set) and Gentry Warrick (.60 blocks/set) lead on defense.

NIU leads the all-time series 25-22. The last time the pair met, the Huskies won in five sets (23-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-11) behind a season high 23 kills from Nikolette Nedic (Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale Central).

Planning on attending the Huskie football game this weekend? Fans who present a Toledo versus NIU football ticket at the gate will be given free admittance to the Miami versus NIU volleyball match on Saturday.

Season Tickets start at $30 in the general admission. A Huskie Four-Pack is available at $22.50 per ticket, with a minimum of four season tickets purchased. New for the 2022 season is the addition of 20 courtside seats on the south side of Victor E. Court. For $180, which includes a season ticket and Premium Seat License, Huskie fans will have a chance to experience NIU Volleyball like never before for less than $13 per match. All orders have a $5 handling fee. To purchase, click on the following link.