The NIU volleyball team played in front of a record crowd of 635 at Victor E. Court and for the first game against Western Michigan, had every fan on its feet.

However, after winning game one, the Huskies were unable to keep the momentum as the Broncos recovered after losing and ultimately won 3-1 in the MAC West matchup.

“We had an awesome crowd,” NIU head coach Ray Gooden said. “We’re so thankful for them. When we won game one you’d have thought that we won the national championship.”

NIU falls to 5-6 on the season, moving them three matches behind Western Michigan, who improves to 8-3.

After falling behind 17-22 in the second game, NIU went on a 9-2 run to take the lead 26-24. They improved the lead and had game point at 29-27 but were unable to put it away, losing 30-29.

“We need to cut down on the runs we give up,” NIU freshman libero Maddie Hughes said. “It was frustrating when we’d go on a run and then we’d give one up.”

Hughes led NIU on defense with 31 of the teams’ 108 digs.

NIU kept game three close until the end, when WMU had two aces that helped push them over the top to take the game 22-30. WMU had six aces on the night.

WMU sophomore outside hitter Katie Eberling had two of her teams aces while getting 21 kills and 24 digs.

Part of NIU’s trouble was being able to stop the MAC’s number two attacker in Michelle Moore, who lived up to the hype; going for 26 kills.

“We have to have the energy to fight back,” Sophomore Meagan Schoenrock said. “We played some great defense and blocked well, we just needed more energy.”

Schoenrock tied with junior Irene Johnson to lead the Huskies with 13 kills.

Senior Laura Baetzel added 12 kills while sophomore Cassie Yates chipped in with 10.

NIU had to play the final two games without sophomore defensive specialist Monica Lang, who twisted her ankle in the third game.

Her status is uncertain for Saturday’s home match against Miami-Ohio (12-7, 9-1 MAC). First serve is slated for 7 p.m. at Victor E. Court.

The match will be pivotal as the Huskies are down to their last five matches of the season before tournament play begins.

“Miami is a senior-led team,” Gooden said. “We have to play well and do it consistently; we can’t lose our focus.”

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