Women's Volleyball | October 16
DeKALB, Ill.—The Northern Illinois University volleyball squad will travel to Michigan this week as Mid-American Conference action continues for the Huskies. The Huskies (8-12, 6-2 MAC) will compete at Western Michigan, who leads the league, on Oct. 17. The Huskies will conclude their Michigan trip, taking on Central Michigan on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21.
Charli Atiemo (Milford, Mich./Farmington Hills Mercy) was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday (Oct. 16). Atiemo recorded 11 total blocks in the Eastern Michigan series, averaging 1.83 blocks per set for the Huskies offense. The Huskies recorded a season-high 15 blocks on Oct. 12. Over the series, Atiemo recorded three service aces for the Huskies.
Western Michigan (18-2, 8-0 MAC) is recording 14 kills per set (.264 hitting percentage) while averaging 1.9 blocks per set. Leading Western Michigan, Maggie King averages 3.44 kills per set. Keona Salesman and Anna Calcagno record 3.22 and 3.09 kills per set respectively. Amanda Glanton is leading the Bronco defense, recording .85 blocks per set.
Northern Illinois trails Western Michigan in the all-time series, 35-37. Western Michigan won last season's meeting, a five-set match in Kalamazoo. The Huskies last victory in Kalamazoo came in 2019, with the Huskies prevailing 3-2 in a thriller. The Huskies and Broncos will meet in DeKalb this season on Nov. 15 to close out the regular season.
As of October 16, Central Michigan (8-13, 2-7 MAC) holds a 4-1 record when playing at home this season. The Chippewas are averaging 12 kills per set, with 14.3 digs and 1.92 blocks per set. Leading Central Michigan, Krystina Kasson is averaging 2.72 kills per set. Kasson is joined by Linnea Willer (2.16 kills per set) and Lauren Schrock (2.14 kills per set).
Northern Illinois leads the all-time series over Central Michigan, 42-27. The Huskies were last in Mount Pleasant in 2021, splitting the meeting with Central Michigan with both matches going four-sets.
Katie Erdmann (Forreston, Ill./Forreston) is just one kill away from eclipsing the 1,000-career kill mark. In the Huskies sweep over Eastern Michigan, Erdmann recorded 19 kills to reach the 999-career kill mark.
Crew Hoffmeier (Louisville, KY/Assumption) is second in the MAC for digs per set and total digs, recording 4.58 digs per set and 357 total digs this season. Atiemo leads the MAC in total blocks (80) this season and is second in blocks per set (1.03).
Savanah Brandt (Pearl City, Ill./Pearl City) is in the top-5 for total blocks this season, recording 67 blocks this season. Brandt recorded a season-high nine blocks on Oct. 12. The Huskies are third in the MAC for hitting percentage (.228) and second in the league for blocks. The Huskies are averaging 2.21 blocks per set and lead the league in total blocks this season (172).
