Volleyball players know the excitement of snagging the win in the fifth tie-breaking set.

After last weekend, the NIU volleyball team was able to feel that excitement twice in just two
days.

The weekend opened up with a match against Central Michigan (10-5, 3-2 MAC) on Friday. Its first set was the closest set of NIU’s conference season, with a record 16 tie scores and 9 lead changes. It was a one-point game until CMU scored three consecutive points to bring up to a two point lead at 10-8. The Chippewas were able to maintain that lead for the majority of the match, but the Huskies (9-10, 3-3 MAC) stayed right with them. After the Huskies lost an opportunity at a win, the Chippewas found themselves in the same situation at 26-25, and a kill from Kaitlyn Hurt won the game in overtime 27-25.

The Huskies received the first three points in the second set before a service error would give Central Michigan their first possession. Unlike the 16 tie scores and nine lead changes that occurred in the first set, there were only six instances during set two where the score was tied.

NIU was able to wrap up the game at 25-22.

The teams split the next two sets, forcing a fifth set to decide the match.

The score was tied at 11-11, but after an error by CMU, a kill and an ace by Allison McGlaughlin, NIU reached set point. Mary Kurisch finished the game with a kill to end the match, 15-12.

The following night, Eastern Michigan (3-19, 2-4 MAC) came to Victor E. Court to face the Huskies.

As set one against the Eagles progressed, the Huskies were able to maintain the lead with ease. The Huskies held a kill advantage against the Eagles 18-11, but also held down the Eagles on the defensive side as well. Defensive specialist Maddie Hughes had 30 digs in the match.

“Maddie had a great night,” NIU head coach Ray Gooden said. “Her defense is tremendous.”

Just like their game against the Chippewas, the Huskies went into the third set with one win and one loss behind them. The Huskies were able to pull ahead early as the score reached 17-7. Unlike a let down in set two, NIU held on and won the match 25-17.

EMU came out at their strongest early in set four, out-scoring the Huskies 8-2. They held onto that lead with a death grip that wouldn’t let up, eventually reaching their largest lead of the night at 18-11. With a comeback as unexpected as Eastern achieved in set two, the Huskies fought their way back into the game. That comeback, however, wasn’t enough to win them the set with the Eagles winning 25-22.

For the second time in two days, the Huskies found themselves playing a fifth set. NIU came out strong and was ahead 8-4 as the teams made the halftime switch. The Huskies were able to hold EMU scoreless for the remainder of the game, and a kill made by Cassie Yates won the set 15-4.

All comments are moderated before being published. We will not edit your comments, but we also will not approve those that are abusive, off-topic, attack another poster or contain information we know to be libelous or false.

During peak weekday viewing times, most comments will be reviewed within six hours. For more detailed information, click here.

After submitting your comment, check below for a confirmation message.

• Your name:
• Enter text from image:
  

• Your comment:

* 300-character count. HTML formatting will not display.