A late comeback by the Northern Illinois University Huskies (11-12, 5-10 MAC) fell short as they split the series with the University at Buffalo Bulls (8-15, 5-9 MAC) inside Victor E. Court on Saturday (November 1). The Huskies and Bulls posted set scores of 16-25, 24-26, and 32-34.

The Huskies third set score was the highest set score this season.

Autumn Flynn (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) recorded three consecutive aces in the second set as she matched her career-best for the third time this season. Kylie Schulze (Wonder Lake, Ill./Woodstock North) matched her career-best of three kills in the contest as well.

“We know this team has grit,” said head coach Sondra D’Amore. “A lot of positives (tonight) but a tough moment at the end. You want to put yourself in a position to win earlier because when it comes down to the last two points, anything can happen. They know they can do it; they just have to do it consistently.”

How It Happened

Buffalo jumped out to an early 11-3 lead over the Huskies in the first set as Naomi Dowd (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) had the first kill of the night for the Huskies. The Bulls took an early eight-point lead at 11-3 before Alexa Hayes (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia West) started a 6-4 run for the Huskies. Emma McCartney (Cleveland, Ohio/Chadron) had back-to-back points in the form of a kill and an ace as the Huskies got within five late in the set. Hayes and Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West) had the final kills of the first set as Buffalo took the opening set 25-16.

Delaney Steers (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) recorded the first two kills of the second set for the Huskies as Buffalo took an early 5-3 lead. Led by a block from Savannah Gogel (Santa Claus, Ind./Heritage Hills) and Hayes, NIU went on a 3-1 run to tie the set early at 6. The Huskies got a pair of kills from Jordyn Tynsky (Denton, Texas, Denton-Guyer) and Schulze as part of a 5-1 run for their first lead at 12-11. Buffalo rebuilt their lead to three before a kill by Flynn gave NIU their second 5-1 run for a 19-18 lead late. The teams saw three tie points before Buffalo scored the final two points to take a two-set lead.

Grevengoed had the first two kills of the third set as the Huskies and Bulls battled early before tying the set at six on a 3-0 Huskie run. Buffalo responded with a 5-1 run, with Hayes recording the lone Huskies kill, before Rylea Alvin (Randolph, Wis./Randolph) had back-to-back kills to bring NIU within two at 11-9. The Bulls built their lead to seven at 20-13 before the Huskies went on an 11-3 run to tie the set at 24. The Huskies reached set point three times as the teams battled to a 34-32 final score with Buffalo claiming the final three points.

The Huskies will finish home action next week as the Ohio University Bobcats visit Victor E. Court on November 7 and 8. The Huskies are Bobcats will have first serve at 6 p.m. on November 7.