MUNCIE, Ind.—Sarah Lezon (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) recorded a career night as the Northern Illinois University Huskies volleyball program fell in four sets to the Ball State University Cardinals. The Huskies posted set scores of 17-25, 25-23, 15-25, and 24-26 in the contest.

Lezon recorded nine kills on 15 total attacks (hitting percentage .533), setting a new career-best in kills, attacks, and hitting percentage.

The Huskies won the blocking battle at the net, recording six blocks to the Cardinals two blocks. The Cardinals were held to their second lowest total blocks of the season by the Huskies. 

Nikolette Nedic (Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale Central) led the Huskies with 12 kills (34 total attacks) while Emily Dykes (Winterville, N.C./Ayden-Grifton) was the second Huskie with double-digit kills. 

"I thought we fought hard against a tough team," said head coach Sondra Parys. "Our serving kept us in the match, especially in set two. It was positive to see that we held Ball State to the second lowest blocks of the season. I'm confident (that) we can execute at the end of sets better tomorrow."

It was a back-and-forth battle in the opening points as neither team had was able to get an early advantage. After four unanswered points by the Cardinals, a pair of kills by Lezon ended the scoring drought for the Huskies. Dykes ended an 7-2 run with a kill as the Huskies trailed 17-10 in the opening set. The Huskies had three unanswered points late in the set but were unable to overcome the deficit. The Huskies recorded nine kills in the opening set.

Nazli Güvener (Ankara, Turkey/Elvankent Sinar) started at the service line for the Huskies in set two as the Huskies opened with a service ace and an 8-2 run. The Huskies went on a 9-6 run through the middle of the set, doubling the lead over the Cardinals at 18-6. The Huskies recorded three service aces in the set as they totaled four on the night. The Cardinals began chipping away the Huskies lead, tying the set late at 20. A kill by Dykes put the Huskies at set point before Dykes sealed the second set for the Huskies.

Nedic scored the first Huskie point of the third set after a 3-0 run by the Cardinals. The Cardinals took a 12-5 lead over the Huskies early in the set before a service error and kill by Nedic gave the Huskies back-to-back points. Nedic recorded a kill, answering four consecutive points by the Cardinals. Isabelle Percoco (Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg) recorded two of her six kills on the night in the final points for the Huskies as they dropped the third set.

The Huskies opened the fourth and final set on a 4-2 run with Lezon and Charli Atiemo (Milford, Mich./Farmington Hills Mercy) recording kills for the Huskies. Nedic had the lone point for the Huskies during a 10-1 run by the Cardinals. The Huskies recorded back-to-back blocks to bring the game within four at 12-8. After four unanswered points by the Cardinals, Lezon started a 4-0 run for the Huskies with a kill. The Huskies fought their way back into the game, tying the game at 22 on an attacking error by the Cardinals. The Cardinals outscored the Huskies 4-1 in the final points of the set, winning 26-24.  

The Huskies will conclude the series against Ball State on Nov. 11 at 5 p.m.