By: Nathan Vaughan, News Staff
The volleyball team is back in the playoff hunt after beating Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) 3-1 Friday and William & Mary by the same score Saturday.
Northeastern sits fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and is one game out of the fourth and final playoff spot, after Delaware University beat both George Mason University (GMU) and James Madison University (JMU) last week. The Huskies are 16-9 on the season (7-4 CAA), and have three games left, two of which are against GMU and JMU.
“There are so many things that are out of our control,” head coach Ken Nichols said. “We are a little bit more in the driver’s seat after this past weekend, where if we win three it is very likely that we will make the post season. The easiest way to struggle in one of those three matches is to think about winning all three. The most efficient way to win all three is to just concentrate on winning the next one. That’s what we have been talking about at length.”
Second-place VCU came to Solomon Court to avenge a Huskies victory in Richmond Sept. 24. But the Huskies held their ground and took the first set 25-23.
The Rams battled back, took a 12-4 lead and won the second set 25-18. In the third set, Northeastern jumped out quickly and disposed of the Rams 25-16. Freshman setter Ina Kamenova served the Huskies to a 21-17 lead in the final set and helped seal the 25-21 victory in the final set.
“It kind of all came together,” freshman outside hitter Janelle Tucker said. “Everyone did their part and we all worked together and played like a team today.”
Kamenova was strong from the service line again with a four point run in the first set against the Tribe Friday and the Huskies won 25-13.
William and Mary jumped out to a 7-1 run. The Huskies never caught up and lost the second set 25-11.
The third set was closer as neither team was able to separate itself by more than three points until the end. But the Huskies emerged with a 5-3 run and took the set 25-20.
The Huskies put together a 6-2 run in the fourth set to win 25-21 and take the match 3-1.
Senior captain setter and opposite hitter Britney Brown posted a 6.17 hitting percentage with 17 kills and 19 sets.
The Huskies host Hofstra University at 7 p.m. Saturday. This is the last home game of the season, and the seven seniors will be honored.
“[The Hofstra match] was the first and last game that I played [in the CAA] last year, because I got injured,” sophomore middle hitter Nicole Bishop said. “I have a little revenge towards them. I got to show them how I played at Hofstra but it is a bit different at home. If we just stay composed and play well it won’t be a problem.”
