20161031 07ns by Shelley Hendricks

Sports

NorthernStar.info/Sports | @NIUNorthernStar | 815-753-9637

Monday, Oct. 31, 2016

Volleyball suffers 1st loss since September

Volleyball splits weekend matches Danielle Brown Staff writer

OXFORD, Ohio | The Huskies suffered their first loss since Sept. 10 on Saturday against the Miami University RedHawks. NIU had won 14 consecutive matches, including a 11-0 start to Mid-American Conference play, but both of its streaks ended when the team lost in straight sets, (2225, 20-25, 23-25).

“

It was fun to play that match. Yes, we were on the wrong side of it, but I thought it was fun to be a part of that. I thought we were doing some good things, playing some good volleyball, but they were just a couple steps ahead... .” Ray Gooden Head Coach

Gooden said even though the result wasn’t the desired one, it was a competitive match. “It was fun to play that match,” said Head Coach Ray Gooden. “Yes, we were on the wrong side of it, but I thought it was fun to be a part of that. I thought we were doing some good things, playing some good volleyball, but they were just a couple steps ahead at a couple critical times, and that’s really the difference. I think it’s a good learning [experience] for our group.” The teams battled in the first set with a combined 32 kills. Neither team had a lead of more than four in the first set, but the RedHawks ultimately won it, 25-22. The second set saw Miami take an 18-11 advantage before the Huskies had four straight kills to score eight of the following 10 points and make it 20- Ray Gooden 19. The Red- Head Coach Hawks ended the set with threestraight kills to win the set, 25-20. NIU took a 7-4 lead in the third set, but after a Miami timeout, they tied the set at 10. The Huskies regained the lead 22-20 but lost three of the next four points and lost the third set and match, 25-23.

a .564 hitting percentage against Western Michigan. “Every place in our league, their home court is very difficult,” said Head Coach Ray Gooden. “Here at Western Michigan, it is no different. It’s always been a big challenge for us because they bring a lot of energy and there’s a great atmosphere.” Gooden said he was impressed by the way his team battled through the match, especially in the first set, which eventually led to the win. The first set started off with both teams trading points, which resulted in a 10-10 tie. The Broncos gained the upper hand after a timeout that led to them winning the set, 25-19. NIU’s offense, led by Kelly and sophomore middle blocker Meg Wolowicz, gave the team the spark it needed in the second set. The set included 14 ties and eight lead changes, but the Huskies never trailed by more than two points. NIU closed out the set, 26-24. The Huskies had an early lead of 20-10 in the third set and continued applying pressure on the Broncos to win the set, 25-19. Both teams were trading points and going at it back and forth. NIU finished strong to win the set, 25-20.

“

Every place in our league, their home court is very difficult. Here at Western Michigan, it is no different. It’s always been a big challenge for us because they bring a lot of energy and there’s a great atmosphere.” Ray Gooden Head Coach

Wolowicz led with five blocks and eight kills. Senior middle blocker Jenna Radtke recorded 10 kills. NIU looks to get back on track 7 p.m. Friday against Eastern Michigan University on Victor E. Court. The Huskies will then host Senior Night 7 p.m. Saturday against Central Michigan University on Victor E. Court.

MAC standings

West Division 1. NIU (19-5, 11-1 MAC) 2. Ball State University (11-15, 7-5 MAC) 3. University of Toledo (14-10, 7-5 MAC) 4. Central Michigan University (10-14, 3-9 MAC) 5. Eastern Michigan University Western Michigan University The Huskies (19-5, 11-1 Mid- (8-17, 3-9 MAC) American Conference) defeated the 6. Western Michigan University Western Michigan University Bron- (8-17, 3-9 MAC) cos (8-16, 3-8 MAC) in four sets, (1925, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20) Thursday. The night was led by senior outside hitter Mary Grace Kelly as she registered 23 kills, matching her career high. Kelly also beat her best hitting percentage of Meg Wolowicz .529 from last Sophomore middle blocker season against Eastern Michigan University with

East Division 1. Miami University (20-4, 12-0 MAC) 2. Ohio University (13-11, 9-3 MAC) 3. Bowling Green State University (17-8, 7-5 MAC) 4. Kent State University (13-12, 6-6 MAC) 5. University of Akron (7-17, 2-10 MAC) 6. University at Buffalo ( 3-22, 2-10 MAC)

Xavier Ortega | Northern Star

Kenny Golladay, redshirt senior wide receiver, dives to catch the ball and score a touchdown for the Huskies Oct. 22 against University at Buffalo in Huskie Stadium. The Huskies would win the game against the Buffalo Bulls 44-7.

Football to honor seniors Scott Nicol Sports editor

DeKALB | Tuesday marks senior night for the Huskies football team as they are set to take on Bowling Green State University. “It’s the best, worst night as a coach,” Head Coach Rod Carey said at Thursday’s press conference. “It’s awesome because you get to honor [the players]. It’s the worst because in three games they won’t be here.” The Huskies will be honoring 21 seniors, which include 10 starters. Both teams are having down seasons as this is a matchup of the last three Mid-American

Conference Championship games. The Huskies will face James Morgan, a talented redshirt freshman quarterback for Bowling Green. “You start with the arm talent,” Carey said. “You start with the athletic ability.” Morgan has thrown 11 touchdown passes in just four games as a starter, seventh among freshman quarterbacks in the NCAA. Morgan also ranks in the top 10 in completions, attempts, completion percentage and yards-per-attempt. Morgan has shown his youth with having 11 interceptions to go along with his 11 touchdown passes.

“Certainly there’s some youthfulness that factor into [Morgan’s] interceptions,” Carey said. “I see those [interceptions] he has made from a standpoint where there are late-game scenarios where [Bowling Green] have been behind and they have to take chances that don’t work out.” Kenny Golladay, redshirt senior wide receiver, continues to rank among the top 15 players in college football in receiving yards (821) and catches per game. Read more about football’s Senior Night at NorthernStar.info/Sports/.

TAKE ME

HOME TONIGHT

SERIOUS DELIVERY!