BOSTON – With rookie outside hitter
Defne Arliel breaking out for 15 kills and five blocks on Friday, the Northeastern volleyball team won its 2020-21 home opener at Cabot Center, handling Rhode Island in four sets: 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 26-24.
Erica Staunton flamed the team high, 17 kills, while leading the Huskies with 45 attacks (hitting .289). The sophomore outside hitter added 12 digs and two service aces to her stat line, notching her second career double-double across as many matches this season.
Kayla Martin tracked down the match high, 20 digs, helping Northeastern (1-1) keep Rhode Island (1-2) to the .134 team hitting percentage. Fellow second years
Liz Carroll and
Nailah Jenkins also came through for the Huskies; Carroll set 46 of the 57 NU kills while Jenkins thundered eight kills, two aces and five blocks.
Despite starting slow during the opening set, Northeastern rallied to undo the Rams' 9-5 lead, frustrating the visitors at the net to knot the set at 14-14. Though drawing even, the Huskies allowed URI to close with seven kills down the stretch, including a pair of set-clinching ones by Natale Zanellato that squashed the NU charge at 23-22.
Northeastern's attack took off during the second set, where the Huskies landed 16 kills against four errors on 33 attacks (hit .364). Staunton accounted for seven of the team's kills before NU broke away from the Rams late, capping the second set with four unanswered points.
With momentum on its side, Northeastern scored nine of the opening 11 points of the third set, though allowed Rhode Island enough breathing room to slide within the 11-10 score line. However, the Huskies busted the set open with nine unanswered points, cruising to the 11-point victory.
Northeastern weathered 14 tied scores during the fourth set, successfully firing 17 kills on 44 attacks (hitting .227). Jenkins lined up the match-winning kill for the Huskies on the team's second match point.
Claire Chaplinsky led Rhode Island with 19 kills on 45 attacks (hit .244), tallying nine digs. Ella Ratzloff paced the Rams with 18 digs while Annie Ell assisted on 30 of their 43 kills.
Friday's victory marked Northeastern's first under head coach
Lenika Vazquez during her second career match with the Huskies.
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