OXFORD, Ohio— Emma McCartney (Cleveland, Ohio/Chardon) led the Northern Illinois University Huskies volleyball team with 10 kills this evening (October 3) as the Huskies fell to the RedHawks of Miami University (9-7, 3-1 MAC).
 
The Huskies (9-4, 2-2 MAC) dropped the opening set 16-25, before falling 21-25 and 11-25 in the second straight loss.  
 
"We couldn't get into a rhythm and Miami had all the momentum early," said Sondra D'Amore, NIU Head Coach. "They (Miami) were smart with the ball, swung high deep corners, and reversed quite a bit. We learned a huge lesson as a team this weekend but I'm confident this weekend can help prepare us better for the rest of the MAC."
 
How It Happened
 
Autumn Flynn (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) recorded the first kill of the evening for the Huskies, ending a 4-1 start from Miami. A trio of Huskies recorded kills as the teams traded points before Emma McCartney had back-to-back kills, making it 10-8 Miami. McCartney and Flynn had back-to-back kills before the media timeout was called as NIU was trailing by five. Led by Flynn, NIU went on a 5-1 run late in the set before Miami took the opening set.
 
Alexa Hayes (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia West) had the first kill of the second set as the RedHawks had five straight points. Flynn and McCartney had a trio of kills as the Huskies got within three at 7-4. Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West) started a 4-2 for the Huskies which featured consecutive kills by McCartney. After falling behind by seven, Grevengoed started a late 5-1 run before Miami collected the final point of the set.
 
NIU started the third and final set with three straight points before Miami responded with five unanswered points. The RedHawks, who hit at a .294 clip in the third set, allowed only two final kills from the Huskies as they took the set 25-11.
 
The Huskies return home on October 7 as they host Western Michigan. Game time is set for 6 p.m. inside Victor E. Court for "Tiki in the VEC". To purchase tickets, please click here or call the NIU Athletics Tickets Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).
 
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