Box Score

BOSTON—The Northeastern women's volleyball team got a quick start against CAA newcomer College of Charleston with a first-set victory on Friday night, but the Cougars won three-consecutive frames to claim a 3-1 victory (25-22, 20-25, 18-25, 22-25) at Cabot Center.

Senior Kelly Bacon registered her ninth double-double of the season, accumulating a match-high 16 kills alongside 11 digs and three service aces. Jamie Bredahl also posted a double-double with 12 kills and 16 assists, adding a trio of digs and a block assist.

Fourth-year setter Ina Kamenova threw up a match-best 29 assists while libero Natalia Skiba anchored the Huskies' backcourt with 14 digs.

Sloane White, Darcy Dorton and Cara Howley patrolled the net for Charleston, collectively triggering 40 of the team's total 54 kills. Outside hitter Dorton also lead the match with 17 digs.

After a pair of errors gave the Cougars an early 2-0 lead in the opening frame, a Nichole Kurz kill sparked a three-point streak that put the Huskies on top, 3-2. CofC's White recorded back-to-back kills to put the Cougars back in front by a point, but Bacon responded with two straight strikes of her own to give NU a 5-4 lead.

Senior outside hitter Hanna Gibeau entered the game with an 8-6 lead and immediately knocked down two straight kills to give NU a four-point advantage, prompting the Cougars to utilize a timeout. Charleston followed up its break with a 6-2 run, tying the set at 12.

The two teams exchanged points down the stretch, but neither team budged. Trailing 19-20, the Huskies were finally able to end the draw with three straight points to go ahead, 22-20, and eventually closing the set, 25-22, capped with an Armstrong kill.

Northeastern took the board to kick off the second stanza, but a 5-1 run put Charleston ahead, 5-2, and never trailed for the rest of the set. The two teams traded points to even the set, 9-9, before they Cougars used a 10-4 run to bring the set to 19-13.  Trailing 23-17, the Huskies managed to cut the lead in half with a three-point streak, but fell, 25-20, to see the match knotted up, 1-1. 

Northeastern got off to a good start in the third frame with three consecutive points to open, but the momentum soon took a massive swing in the Cougars' direction. Charleston posted 13 points in the next 17 exchanges to take a 14-8 lead.

Head coach Ken Nichols hailed for a timeout, down 15-20, and Kelly Bacon responded with a kill. Despite the brief momentum, CofC took four straight points to bring the set to the final point. Northeastern fought off the Cougars with two points toward the end of the frame before a Cara Howley kill gave Charleston the third-set victory, 25-18.

Errors plagued both sides of the net to start the fourth set, but a Howley kill put CofC ahead by two, 6-4. Charleston maintained the lead the majority of the set, however, NU evened the score at the 19 mark, to give the Cougars a late scare. CofC responded with back-to-back kills to prompt Nichols to pull his team into a huddle, trailing 21-19.

Gibeau attempted to even the match with a huge swing from the outside, but a Howley kill sealed the deal for Charleston, 25-22.

The Huskies return to action when they take on CAA rival UNC Wilmington on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Cabot Center. First serve is set for 7 p.m. Fans can watch Northeastern take on the Seahawks live at www.GoNUxStream.com.
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