KINGSTON, R.I.---Nazli Güvener (Ankara, Turkey/Elvankent Sinar) and Charli Atiemo (Milford, Mich./Farmington Hills Mercy) led the Huskies with 12 and 10 kills as the Northern Illinois University Volleyball team (2-6) defeated the Stony Brook University Seawolves (7-2) in the final game of the Art Carmichael Invitational.
 
The Huskies posted set scores of 25-21, 22-25, 25-14, and 25-20.
 
Atiemo was named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
"I am very proud of the entire team for the growth this weekend….The details in how we play matter and I saw a much more composed and consistent team today," said NIU head coach Sondra D'Amore. "(Today's win) shows us our potential more than anything which is a great way to head into Northwestern and MAC play."
 
Game Recap
 
The Huskies went on a 4-0 run starting with a kill from Güvener after a pair of opening kills from Atiemo. The Huskies offense built their lead to six on a pair of kills from Atiemo and Güvener at 17-11, which would be the largest lead of the set. Stony Brook responded and went on a 6-2 run to trim the Huskies lead to three at 20-17 on consecutive aces. Alexa Hayes (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia West) ended the Stony Brook run with kill as the Huskies took the first set 25-21.
 
After trading points early in the second set, Rylea Alvin (Randolph, Wis./Randolph) tallied a kill as the Huskies began to build their lead over Stony Brook. Crew Hoffmeier (Louisville, Ky./Assumption) put the Huskies up by five with a service ace before Stony Brook tied the game at 12. Alvin and Güvener put the Huskies up by two with a block at 16-14 before Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West) tied the game at 19 with a kill. Stony Brook ended the second set on a 7-2 run to take the set 25-22.  
 
Stony Brook took control of the third set quickly, taking a 3-2 lead over the Huskies. A Güvener kill tied the game at three as a Sarah Lezon (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) and Alvin block started the Huskies on a 5-0 run to lead 9-4 and force a Stony Brook timeout. Following the timeout, Stony Brook responded with a 3-1 run as the Huskies lead 11-6. With Sophie Hurt (Elmhurst, Ill./IC Catholic Prep) at the service line, the Huskies had six unanswered points as they took a 19-7 lead. Stony Brook got within nine after three consecutive kills, but the Huskies took the third set 25-14.
 
Starting off with three consecutive points, the Huskie offense took control of the fourth set. A 5-1 run that ended with a Grevengoed and Atiemo block put the Huskies up by six at 10-4 as Stony Brook called timeout. Grevengoed put the Huskies up by eight at 14-6 before the Seawolves trimmed the Huskie lead to five at 16-11. The Seawolves got within four at 19-15 on an error by the Huskies before back-to-back points put NIU up 21-15. The Seawolves continued their offensive attack getting within three at 22-19. A Güvener kill and Ella Strausberger (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) helped seal the Huskie victory, holding off the late comeback from Stony Brook.
 
Huskie Highlights

• Alvin led the Huskies in blocks with five.
• Four different Huskies recorded service aces with Strausberger and Hurt having two apiece.
• Lezon's five kills were a season-best.

 
The Huskies return to the state of Illinois as they end their road swing with a trip to Northwestern on Sept. 18. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in Evanston, Illinois.