INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Winning a five-set battle, the Northern Illinois University Huskies volleyball team improved to 7-2 on the season as they took down IU Indianapolis Jaguars (4-5) in the final match of the IU Indianapolis Hampton Inn Invitational.
 
The Huskies posted set scores of 25-23 and 25-21 in the first two sets before dropping sets three and four by scores of 20-25 and 21-25. The Huskies rallied in the fifth set for a 15-11 victory.
 
Jordyn Tynsky (Denton, Tex./Denton-Guyer) recorded four of the Huskies 11 service aces, setting a new career-best.
 
Emma McCartney (Cleveland, Ohio/Chardon) and Delaney Steers (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) were named to the All-Tournament team.
 
"We came in really focused today, which was a goal. It's why we controlled sets 1 and 2 so well," noted Head Coach Sondra D'Amore. "Serving is one of our strengths. It will be an area we continue to train and emphasize going into conference play…..We know we have work to do still but we also know we have what it takes to not only win, but win tight matches."
 
How It Happened
 
The Jaguars jumped out to 6-2 lead over the Huskies with Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West) marking the lone early kill for NIU. Autumn Flynn (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) was credited with three kills as NIU went on an 11-6 run to tie the set at 15. The teams battled it out late, with four tie scores until IU Indy pulled away at 21-19. Grevengoed got the NIU offense rolling with a pair of kills as NIU ended the first set on a 6-2 run, winning 25-23.
 
Savannah Gogel (Santa Claus, Ind./Heritage Hills) marked the first kill of the second set for NIU as she tallied eight total in the game. After a tie at nine, IU Indy went on a 4-0 run before Kylie Schulze (Wonder Lake, Ill./Woodstock North) found an answer for the Huskies. Schulze's kill started a 9-2 run by the Huskies, featuring four kills by Grevengoed and an ace by Tynsky. The Jaguars fought back to tie the game at 21 but a series of errors gave NIU the two-set lead.
 
The Jaguars opened the third set on a 7-2 run as Gogel recorded the lone early kill for NIU. A pair of kills and service ace brought the Huskies within three at 15-12 before the Jaguars put their lead back to five. Steers was credited with back-to-back aces as the NIU offense fought back to make it 21-17. IU Indy ended the set on a 4-3 run to send the match to a fourth set.
 
The fourth set featured four tie scores before IU went on a 6-3 run for a 9-7 lead. A McCartney kill tied the set at 10 as the Huskies went on a 4-1 run and took the lead. The Huskies and Jaguars traded points until IU Indy tied it at 16. NIU responded with two blocks for a 19-16 lead, but IU Indy closed on a 9-3 run to force a fifth set.
 
In the decisive fifth set, Flynn's early service gave NIU a 2-1 edge. After a 6-6 tie, NIU capitalized on Jaguar errors to regain control. With the score knotted at 11, Alexa Hayes (Magnolia, Tex./Magnolia West) sparked a 4-0 run capped by a Flynn ace, sealing the NIU victory.
 
The Huskies return to action on September 25 as they start Mid-American Conference action. NIU will take on Central Michigan on September 25 at 6 p.m with live coverage on ESPN+. 

New and returning fans can purchase general admission, family 4-pack, or courtside seats to watch the Huskies all season with general admission tickets starting at just $35. The Family 4-Pack is available for $90 ($22.50 each). Courtside seats are priced at $180 for the season. To purchase tickets online, please click here.