EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.— The Northern Illinois University Huskies volleyball team (5-4) earned its third consecutive victory Saturday, sweeping the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars (2-7) in straight sets to close out the SIUE Cougar Clash. NIU posted set scores of 25-18, 25-19, 25-20 over the Cougars.
Delaney Steers (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg),
Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West) and
Autumn Flynn (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) led the Huskies with nine kills each. Grevengoed added 15 digs, while Flynn recorded four block assists, leading the Huskies in each respective category.
"We pushed the team hard this week to make changes," said
Sondra D'Amore, NIU Volleyball Head Coach. "In our game, our mindset and how we show up every day. They responded. Going 3-0 without dropping a set is a great result but more importantly, I hope they gained confidence in why it happened. The details matter. How we prepare, respond and compete matters. When we consistently act like the team, we want to be, the results will follow!"
Game Recap
Grevengoed recorded the first kill of the match for the Huskies, tying the opening set at 2-2.
Kiana Shields (West Chicago, Ill./Wheaton Academy) sparked a 6-3 NIU run with two kills and a block assist. The Cougars battled back to tie the set at 9-9 before taking a 14-10 lead. The Huskies answered with an 8-1 run to regain the lead at 18-15, with Shields and Flynn combining for a block during the stretch. Steers recorded two of NIU's final three kills, while Pahl added a kill and two block assists to help the Huskies take the opening set, 25-18.
Grevengoed again recorded NIU's first kill as the Huskies and Cougars battled to an early 6-6 tie. After the score was tied at 7-7,
Katie Pahl (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) recorded two kills during a 6-1 NIU run to give the Huskies control midway through the set. The Cougars responded with a 5-2 run to pull within two at 17-15, but Shields and Steers answered with back-to-back kills to extend NIU's lead to four. Pahl, who finished with eight kills, recorded three of the Huskies' final five kills as NIU took the second set and a 2-0 match lead.
Grevengoed opened the third set with another kill as NIU raced out to a 9-2 lead. The Huskies continued to build their advantage, extending the lead to 19-7 as Flynn joined five teammates with a kill in the set. Pahl then recorded the final two kills of the match as the Huskies closed out the third set and completed the three-set sweep.
The Huskies conclude non-conference action on September 18 as they host UIC in DeKalb. Action is set for 6 p.m. inside Victor E. Court in the NIU Convocation Center. Action will air live on ESPN+.
New and returning fans can purchase general admission, family 4-pack, or courtside seats to watch the Huskies this fall with general admission tickets starting at just $35. The Family 4-Pack is available for $90 ($22.50 each). Courtside seats are priced at $120 for the season. To purchase tickets online, please click
here.
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