KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Splitting the series this season, the Northern Illinois University Huskies volleyball team (10-11, 3-9 MAC) fell in straight sets to the Western Michigan University Broncos (12-13, 9-3 MAC) this evening in Kalamazoo. The Huskies and Broncos posted set scores of 17-25, 25-27, 15-25.
 
Emma McCartney (Cleveland, Ohio/Chardon) and Autumn Flynn (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) led the Huskies with nine kills each. McCartney also led the Huskies in digs with 15.
 
Alexa Hayes (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia West) set a new season-best in digs in the contest.
 
"There were many highs tonight. We just struggled to convert in big moments and had one too many unforced errors," said head coach Sondra D'Amore. "They (Western Michigan) swung high and were really smart. I give them a lot of credit for their level of execution off our block. I'm confident we can turn it around and fight to have a winning season with the matches we have left."
 
How It Happened
 
The Huskies opened the first set of the evening on a 3-0 run, which included a service ace from Kylie Schulze (Wonder Lake, Ill./Woodstock North). The Broncos responded with six straight points before a timeout was called on the floor. A Flynn kill started NIU on a 5-1 run as they came within one at 11-10. Hayes put the Huskies within one as Western Michigan embarked on a 6-2 run late in the set. McCartney and Flynn had a combined three kills in the final points as Western Michigan took the opening set.
 
Mirroring the first set, the Huskies first two points in the second set came via a kill and an ace. Following a McCartney kill, NIU went on an early 4-1 run at 7-3. A pair of attacking errors by the Broncos gave NIU a five-point lead at 11-6 before the Broncos began chipping away at the Huskies lead. After a timeout at 12 all, Naomi Dowd (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) had a pair of kills as NIU matched Western Michigan in points. The Huskies offense found success down the middle with three consecutive kills coming from middle blockers. McCartney and Dowd had back-to-back kills to reach set point at 24-22. Dowd had the final kill of the night as Western Michigan won the second set 27-25.
 
Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West) recorded the first kill of the third set for the Huskies as NIU answered the Western Michigan opening run with three straight points. Western Michigan and the Huskies would trade scoring runs before back-to-back kills from Flynn and Grevengoed tied the set at 7. The Huskies would take the lead at 9-8 on a kill from Savannah Gogel (Santa Claus, Ind./Heritage Hills). Gogel tied the game back at 10 before Western Michigan went on a 5-1 run. Flynn recorded two of the Huskies final three kills as Western Michigan took the third and final set, 25-15.
 
The Huskies continue action this week as they host Buffalo, October 31 and November 1 at 6 p.m. inside Victor E. Court.
 
Fans are invited to stay after the game on October 31 for post-match autographs with the Huskies volleyball team as they celebrate Huskie Halloween. Due to ICA Cheer competition taking place in the Convocation Center, fans are asked to park in lot C3 for the November 1 game against Buffalo.  
 
To purchase tickets, please click here or call the NIU Athletics Tickets Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).
 
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