By Maddie Sattler, News Staff
In most sports, the importance of maintaining a high energy level can be the difference between a win and a loss. For the Northeastern volleyball team, an energetic style of play has been a key part of this season’s game plan.
That high tempo style was evident in last weekend’s UConn Invitational tournament, where the Huskies went 2-1. The sets where the team lacked a spark were the more difficult ones.
The Huskies opened up the weekend Friday night dropping the first two sets against UConn. Northeastern rebounded winning the next three sets to clinch the match.
“The game against UConn really tested our team, but I think we responded well,” senior outside hitter Kelly Bacon said. “We can really fight for a win.”
In the first set, the Huskies let an early 11-7 lead get away from them. The set was neck-and-neck until late when Northeastern wasn’t able to match the intensity of their counterpart Huskies and UConn took the set 25-23.
The second set was more of the same in that the Huskies were tied up late, but UConn was able to take control and win the set 25-21. Northeastern responded well in the subsequent three sets. In the third set, UConn set the pace early, but the Huskies finally took the lead at 15-14 and never looked back. They finished it out strong, 25-20.
The momentum carried over to the fourth set, which Northeastern won 25-17. In the final frame, Northeastern controlled from the beginning and cruised to a 15-7 victory.
“We came into the match with one game plan and we had to rework the problems,” head coach Ken Nichols said. “We got better as the match went on.”
Bacon led the team with 21 kills in the match while also scooping up 16 digs on the defensive side.
Senior setter Ina Kamenova recorded a team-high 33 assists while junior libero Natalia Skiba ran the defense with 45 digs.
“We have a lot of tenacity as well strengths as a team,” Bacon said.
In the second game of the weekend, Northeastern took on the University of Pittsburgh. The Panthers swept the Huskies in commanding fashion: 25-18, 25-16, 25-15.
Bacon and junior outside hitter Hanna Gibeau led the offense with seven kills apiece. Kamenova had 13 assists, followed by freshman setter Jamie Bredahl who had 11 while Skiba recorded 20 digs.
“You can learn a lot about our team from that game,” Nichols said. “We were so flat against Pittsburgh.”
After being swept earlier in the day, Northeastern turned things around and ended the weekend on a high note against the University of Albany. Northeastern came out fast in the opening set and quickly jumped out to a 10-2 lead. The intensity continued and the Huskies cruised to a 25-13 victory.
The second set saw a lot of back and forth action, and the teams eventually tied at 24. Unlike earlier in the weekend, Northeastern was able to finish out the set with high energy and a 30-28 win.
In the third set, Northeastern jumped out to an 11-8 lead. Although Albany tied it at 13, the Huskies went on a roll late which the Great Danes could not match. Northeastern took the final set 25-18 for their first sweep of the season.
“We need to maintain that intensity as the season continues,” Nichols said. “And stay aggressive on the service line.”
Gibeau and Bacon once again led the offensive efforts with 14 kills each while senior middle hitter Nichole Kurz had six. Kamenova and Bredahl recorded 22 and 17 assists, respectively. And once again Skiba held down the defense with 21 digs.
Following the weekend, Skiba was named the Colonial Athletic Association Co-Defensive Player of the Week.
She helped the Huskies to a 3-1 record last week, including their wins at the UConn tournament and the matchup last Wednesday against the University of New Hampshire.
“She’s a spectacular athlete who can dig the ball no matter who hits it,” Nichols said.
Skiba recorded 108 digs last week, including a career-high 45 in the marathon match against UConn. This is her sixth time receiving the award.
“She brings a certain calmness to the team that we need,” Bacon said. “If I could give her the award every week, I would.”
The Huskies head to the West Coast this weekend for the Aztec Invitational in San Diego, Calif. They will look to play with the intensity that they had in spurts at the UConn invitational.
“This is an important weekend for us,” Nichols said. “We need to get our punches in and get the heck out.”
