DeKALB, Ill. — Sweeping action on Friday evening, (September 26), the Northern Illinois University Huskies Volleyball team (9-2, 2-0 MAC) defeated the Eagles of Eastern Michigan University (8-7, 0-2 MAC). The Huskies posted set scores of 25-19, 25-22, 25-21 in their third three-set match of the season.
 
The last time NIU volleyball started MAC play 2-0 was during the 2022 season.
 
Jordyn Tynsky (Denton, Texas/Denton Guyer) matched her career best with four service aces, as NIU recorded five as a team.
 
Autumn Flynn (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) and Emma McCartney (Cleveland, Ohio/Chadron) led the Huskies offensively with nine kills each.
 
"They did a great job coming out strong and that's something we talked about in the locker room. They were able to maintain momentum throughout the match," said NIU Head Coach Sondra D'Amore. "We did a good job spreading the ball and keeping everyone involved and that makes it harder for teams to defend. This team has a fearless mentality….and they swung for the fences at the end."
 
How It Happened
 
The Huskies and Eagles traded points throughout the first set with neither team gaining more than a two-point lead until an Eagles service error. The Huskies went on a 6-1 run as they took an 18-13 lead on a kill from Kylie Schulze (Wonder Lake, Ill./Woodstock North). Naomi Dowd (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsee Valley) had back-to-back kills for the Huskies as they took a six-point lead at 21-15. Flynn had the final two kills for the Huskies as they took the first set.
 
Keeping the offensive pressure on, NIU opened the second set on a 5-0 run, which featured a pair of kills and a Tynsky ace. The Eagles battled back, taking an 11-10 lead ending three straight points. Tynsky had back-to-back points for NIU in the form of a kill and an ace as teams battled through the middle of the set. The set was tied three more times before McCartney started a 5-2 run for NIU to take a two-set lead.
 
The third set featured five tie scores before NIU took a three-point lead at 10-7. Eastern Michigan responded with a 5-1 scoring run to take the lead before the teams traded points throughout the middle of the set. An Alexa Hayes (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia West) kill started a 6-1 run for the Huskies as they would go on to win their third straight match and second conference game.
 
The Huskies return to action as they travel to Ball State on October 2. First serve is set for 6 p.m. Eastern in Muncie, Indiana.
 
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