The Northeastern volleyball team (5-6, 1-1 CAA) split its series against the Stony Brook Seawolves (5-6, 1-1 CAA) Sept. 19 and 20 for its first CAA matches this season.
In its first game against the Seawolves, Northeastern struggled and lost in four sets. Freshman setter and opposite hitter Emma Rowell led the team in digs for the first time this season with 12 and led in kills with 13. Freshman setter Sofia King led in assists with 29.
The first set was the Huskies’ best performance of the game and the only set they won, taking it 25-21 over the Seawolves. Northeastern opened up taking four of the first five points to go up 4-1.
With the score 9-5 Northeastern, the Seawolves answered back with a three-point streak, but the Huskies were not giving up their lead. Northeastern took eight of the next 10 points to go up 17-10. Stony Brook was unwavering, taking seven of the next 10 points to cut Northeastern’s lead to 19-17. Both teams added two points each before a three-point run brought the frame to set point. While the Seawolves tacked on two more points, a kill by redshirt freshman outside hitter Valentina Meirelles gave the Huskies the set, 25-21.
Despite a strong first set, Northeastern fell apart in the second, struggling to string together points as it did before. Stony Brook held a narrow 5-4 lead before taking eight of the next nine points from Northeastern. The teams went point-for-point until a three-point streak gave Stony Brook a 10 point lead at 20-10. Both exchanged a point before Northeastern strung together two points, its best run of the set, to cut Stony Brook’s lead to 21-13. Two aces and two kills gave the Seawolves the set, 25-14.
Coming off of their momentum from the second set, the Seawolves quickly jumped to a 4-0 lead over Northeastern. Both teams exchanged points before the Huskies took six of the next eight to tie the set at 7-7. Stony Brook tacked on a point before Northeastern went on a four-point run to increase its lead to 11-8. Both teams added two points each before a two-point streak for Stony Brook brought the set within one at 13-12 Northeastern.
The Huskies fired off another four-point streak, with the end seemingly in sight as they led 17-12. Unfortunately for them, the Seawolves were ready to fight back. Stony Brook took 11 of the next 15 to pull ahead 23-21. A kill and an ace for Northeastern tied it back up at 23, but consecutive kills gave Stony Brook the set, 25-23.
With two consecutive set wins for Stony Brook, Northeastern needed to stop the Seawolves’ momentum as soon as possible. Unfortunately for the Huskies, Stony Brook quickly went out to a 4-1 lead. The teams went back and forth until, with an 11-9 lead, Stony Brook went on a six-point run to lead 17-9. Northeastern managed to take six of the next eight points, but a five-point streak for Stony Brook brought the game to match point. Northeastern managed to string together two points, but it was too late. A kill gave Stony Brook the set 25-17 and the game in four sets.
The second game of the weekend was a much better showing for Northeastern, as the team took the game in five sets. Junior middle blocker Beatrice Gennari led the team in kills with 13, junior middle blocker Kaylin Daniels led in blocks with five and senior libero Nadia Koanui led in digs with 15. King once again led in assists with 29.
The first set seemed to be a repeat of the day before as Northeastern struggled to string points together and the Seawolves jumped out to an early lead, 5-1. Northeastern managed to bring it within one at 5-4, but Stony Brook went on a four-point streak to increase its lead to 9-4. Stony Brook then took eight of the next 12 points to lead 17-8, but Northeastern managed to take four of the next five points to cut Stony Brook’s lead to six. The teams went point-for-point to bring the set to 23-17 until consecutive points for Stony Brook gave the Seawolves the set, 25-17.
The second set showed a change in tide in the Huskies’ favor. Northeastern jumped out 3-0 after consecutive kills before the Seawolves managed to tie it up at six. The teams went point-for-point until a five-point streak put the Huskies in the lead 15-10. Northeastern kept its lead equal until the Seawolves added a point to cut it down to 20-16. The Huskies were dominant the rest of the set, taking five of the next six points to win the set, 25-17.
The Seawolves once again took an early lead, jumping out 4-0. The teams went point-for-point until, with the score 11-6, Northeastern took six of the next seven to tie it at 12. The set was tied at 15 each before the Seawolves took eight of the next 12 points to bring it to 23-19. Northeastern added two more points to bring the set close, but consecutive kills gave Stony Brook the set, 25-21.
The fourth set began with the teams going point-for-point until Stony Brook took one to go ahead 7-6. Then, the Huskies put together a five-point run to go ahead 11-7. The Seawolves answered with two before both teams battled back-and-forth. As the Seawolves cut the lead to 17-16 for Northeastern, the Huskies fired back a five-point streak to increase their lead to 22-16. Despite the Seawolves taking four of the next five, Northeastern took two points to take the set, 25-20.
With the game on the line and down to a winner-takes-all set, the Huskies needed to leave it all out on the court. While Northeastern took the first point of the set, Stony Brook fired back with two of its own. Yet, the Huskies knew it was their game to win, taking nine of the next 11 points to go ahead 12-6. Stony Brook fired off a kill, but the Huskies were determined, taking three consecutive points for the 15-6 win in five sets.
The Huskies are back in action for their first game at home against the Towson Tigers (11-2, 2-0) Sept. 26 at 4 p.m.
