DeKALB, Ill.— Delaney Steers (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) led the Northern Illinois University Huskies volleyball team with 12 kills as NIU fell in straight sets to Northern Kentucky University. The Huskies (7-9, 1-5 Horizon) fell by scores of 21-25, 16-25 and 18-25 to the Norse (11-6, 6-0 Horizon).
Steers was the only Huskie with double-digit kills, while
Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West) led the defensive effort with 10 digs. Grevengoed also recorded the Huskies' lone service ace of the match.
Two of Steers' kills came early as the Huskies opened the first set with a 4-1 lead. An
Autumn Flynn (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) kill tied the set for the final time at 7-7. The Norse used a 12-4 run to extend their lead to 19-11, with Grevengoed recording NIU's lone kill during the stretch. A Steers kill ended the run and sparked a 9-4 run by the Huskies, who pulled within three at 23-20. The Norse scored the final two points to take the opening set, 25-21.
Flynn recorded the first kill of the second set after the Norse opened with a 7-1 run. NIU scored back-to-back points before Northern Kentucky responded with a 5-1 run.
Katie Pahl (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) recorded a pair of kills to answer points by the Norse, while
Rylea Alvin (Randolph, Wis./Randolph) and Steers added kills. A Steers kill sparked a 5-2 run by the Huskies as they fought to get within four. Northern Kentucky closed the set with a 5-0 run to take it, 25-16.
Alvin recorded NIU's first kill of the third set, while Flynn added a pair of kills as the Huskies trailed 6-4 early. Steers added two kills as the teams traded points before the Norse recorded three consecutive kills to take a 12-7 lead. Steers had two kills during an 8-3 run by Northern Kentucky before recording one of NIU's final four kills of the afternoon. The Norse closed out the set, 25-18, to complete the sweep.
NIU concludes its four-match homestand Oct. 15 when Milwaukee visits Victor E. Court. To purchase tickets, please click
here or call the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).
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