DeKALB, Ill.— The Northern Illinois University Huskies volleyball team (2-4) battled the Lindenwood University Lions (5-1) in a close opening set before falling in straight sets, 23-25, 13-25, 11-25.
Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West) led the Huskies with 10 kills on the night, marking her fourth double-digit kill game this season.
Delaney Steers (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) led the defensive efforts with seven digs while
Autumn Flynn (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) had the lone block of the night.
It was a battle early in the first set as three different Huskies recorded kills in a 5-3 start. A Lindenwood service error sparked a 5-2 NIU run, giving the Huskies a 10-7 lead. Three straight points by the Lions tied the set at 10, with the middle portion of the frame featuring four tie scores. Led by a
Rylea Alvin (Randolph, Wis./Randolph) kill, NIU scored four straight points to reach 20. Grevengoed recorded the Huskies' final three kills of the set, but Lindenwood held on to take the opening frame, 25-23.
Grevengoed opened the second set with a kill, but Lindenwood responded with an 8-2 run. The Lions continued to apply offensive pressure, building a 16-8 advantage. Grevengoed and Flynn each recorded three kills late in the set, but Lindenwood closed the frame with back-to-back service aces to take a 2-0 lead.
Grevengoed again opened the third set with a kill before Lindenwood answered with an 8-1 run. Flynn recorded the next two NIU points with a kill and a block, but the Lions continued to maintain their momentum.
The Huskies return to the court on September 11-12 as they compete at the SIUE Cougar Clash. NIU will take on Chicago State, Arkansas Pine Bluff, and SIUE over the two-day tournament. Flynn had the final two kills of the night for NIU as Lindenwood took the final set 25-11.
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