By Tim Foley, news staff
The Northeastern women’s volleyball team played Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) foes Towson University and the University of Delaware over the weekend, losing both matches in straight sets.
Not one set in Friday’s match against Towson (22-3, 8-2 CAA) had a score differential greater than three points.
In the first set, the Northeastern women overcame an early five-point deficit to tie the score at 10, then proceeded to take a 15-14 lead. Late in the set, a kill from sophomore middle hitter Caterina Rosander knotted the score at 23. However, after consecutive Towson kills, the Huskies lost the set 25-23. Rosander had three kills assisted by freshman setter Kristen Walding, as well as a block in conjunction with Walding.
The Northeastern attack put away 11 kills in the set, but that was not enough to edge out the Towson front line, which has four players in the top 10 for hitting percentages in the CAA.
“It was really hard to track their front line,” Rosander said. “They run a really fast offense.”
The second set brought more of the same back-and-forth volleyball from both teams. Neither team held a lead of more than three points during the set.
The Huskies led 16-13 midway through the set, but were unable to gain any more breathing room. A Towson kill ended the set at 25-22.
“I think we just need to start every game with the mindset of going out there to get that early lead,” freshman middle blocker Taylor Reiter said. “I think sometimes we wait a little too long, and so it takes us a little longer to find our rhythm.”
Junior outside hitter Cherylain Dizon had four of her six kills in the second set while Rosander added another four.
The Huskies began the following set with a service ace from sophomore libero Ashlee Asada and maintained a lead for the majority of the set. But the Towson women kept the score close and were able to take a 24-23 lead. A kill from Towson senior outside hitter Saitaua Iosia – the last of her 21 kills in the match – solidified the straight set victory over the Huskies.
Throughout the hard fought sets, there were 10 lead changes and 30 times when the score was tied. Northeastern scored only seven points fewer than Towson, but got swept in the match. Freshman outside hitter Brigitte Burcescu had a team-high eight kills, while senior middle hitter Alexa Armstrong led the attack with a .385 hitting percentage.
In Sunday’s match against Delaware (13-14, 6-6 CAA), there was only one lead change in three sets. The Huskies struggled against the Delaware front line and trailed for the entire first set, eventually losing 25-18.
Northeastern fell to an early 5-1 deficit in the second set and was unable to chip away at the Delaware lead. The Blue Hens had three service aces in the set and won 25-19.
The Northeastern women kept up with Delaware early in the third, but struggled to convert throughout the rest of the set. Sophomore setter Jamie Bredahl, who missed the last four games due to an ankle injury, subbed in midway through the third set and got some playing time – an encouraging sign for the team – but the Huskies fell 25-16 in the set and lost the match 3-0.
Head Coach Ken Nichols said that Bredahl is getting to the point where she can play again.
“[Bredahl] will get in the match in some way, shape or form against Hofstra,” Nichols said.
Senior libero Natalia Skiba led the team with 18 digs. Reiter added eight kills and posted her league season high .375 hitting percentage in the match, but the Huskies could only manage a .104 team hitting percentage. Rosander said that Delaware was “very consistent” throughout the match.
The Northeastern (10-16, 2-10 CAA) women will return to the Cabot Center on Friday, when they take on first-place Hofstra University at 7 p.m.
Photo courtesy Todd Drexler, Northeastern Athletics
