By Katlyn Gambill, News Correspondent
On the road last weekend, the women’s volleyball team defeated George Mason University and James Madison University in two Colonial Conference Association (CAA) games. Northeastern is now 5-2 in conference play this season.
The Huskies swept the George Mason Patriots in three sets with scores of 26-24, 25-22 and 25-16. On Saturday, the Huskies battled against James Madison and won in five sets. Northeastern took the first set but dropped the next two sets, losing by only two points in each.
“These two teams were looking for a little bit of payback,” head coach Ken Nichols said.
In the last game of the season last year, the Huskies fought back after dropping the first two sets to beat George Mason and knocked them out of the playoffs. In the semifinals of the CAA championship tournament November 2010, the Huskies beat James Madison 3-2 as well.
Against the James Madison Dukes on Saturday though, the Huskies came out swinging to go ahead 8-1 in the first set. With a kill by freshman outside hitter Jillian Briner and two Dukes’ errors, the Huskies held an 11-2 advantage before the Dukes came back with a four point run. Sophomore outside hitter Janelle Tucker, who had a double-double with 17 kills and 14 digs, had back to back kills to stop the Dukes’ run.
The second and third sets were much closer, but both ended unfavorably for the Huskies. With scores of 23-25 both sets, the Huskies needed a win in the fourth set to stay in the match.
“[We] kicked [it] in gear,” sophomore outside hitter Kelly Bacon said of the game. “Everyone just stopped playing timid or whatever, limited their errors and just went out and played to win and played with heart.”
During the final set of the match, the Huskies jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead with kills from Bacon and Briner. The Dukes were playing on their heels as the Huskies’ play dominated the court. Five of the last seven points went to Northeastern, with a final score of 15-8 ending the match. Sophomore setter Ina Kamenova led the team with 35 assists on Saturday while Natalia Skiba had a team-high of 25 digs against James Madison.
“We executed really well and stayed on game plan,” Bacon said, who had a double-double on Saturday.
Bacon returned Friday from an injury that spanned five games.
“It’s great to get back out there and play with your team again,” she said. “I felt strong, as far as my ankle goes. A little nerve wracking going back out there after missing five games with a hurt ankle.”
Despite the nerves, her play spoke volumes according to her coach, Nichols. With 11 kills, 6 digs and a solo block on Friday as well as 12 kills and 20 digs against James Madison, Bacon made her presence known.
“Kelly’s return has changed the dynamic slightly and afforded us some opportunities to capitalize,” said Nichols.
The Huskies had two very close sets against the Patriots. Tucker and Bacon both had six kills in the first set, which saw the Huskies win 26-24. A service ace from sophomore middle hitter Nichole Kurz and several Patriots’ errors helped the Huskies break out to a 6-3 lead. Both teams kept trading points throughout much of the set.
Northeastern held on as they went on to win the set 25-22. The Patriots bounced back in the beginning of the third set by winning the first four points. But then Tucker had two consecutive kills to start things off for the Huskies. A six-point run gave the Huskies a 9-5 lead, and forced the Patriots to call for a timeout. Northeastern finished the set and match by winning 11 of the last 15 points.
Northeastern will take on the Hofstra Pride this Saturday at 4 p.m. at Solomon Court.
“We’re going to be more than prepared for Hofstra this time around,” Nichols said. After losing to the Pride at the end of September, the Huskies are looking to bounce back from the loss.
“It’s going to be a huge game,” said Bacon. “It’s going to be a battle.”
