📹 | NU recorded a season high, 13 blocks, during Saturday's four-set victory at Rhode Island.

Head coach Lenika Vazquez comments on how important that aspect of the #HowlinHuskies' play changed the tone of the match: pic.twitter.com/KDnJM1meg3

— Northeastern Volleyball (@GoNUwvolleyball) February 20, 2021

KINGSTON, R.I. – Backed by sophomore Nailah Jenkins's career high, eight blocks, on Saturday, the Northeastern volleyball team completed its home-and-home sweep of Rhode Island, taking the weekend finale in four sets at Keaney Gymnasium: 23-25, 25-18, 25-16, 26-24.
 
Jenkins recorded three solo blocks as part of her career-high tally in addition to swinging five kills. Freshman middle blocker Marika Virthe assisted on five net rejections, helping the Huskies compile the season high, 13 blocks, at a +9 advantage.
 
Erica Staunton led Northeastern (2-1) with 18 kills on 47 attacks, achieving her highest hit percentage of the 2020-21 season (.319). Rookie outside hitter Defne Arliel posted her first career double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs while sophomore libero Kayla Martin upped her career high in digs to 25.
 
Northeastern served nine aces during the match, including six across the second and third sets, where NU notched respective seven- and nine-point victories. Samantha Shupe and Arliel co-led the Huskies with three aces while Martin delivered two.
 
After winning seven of the opening nine points, Northeastern allowed Rhode Island (1-3) back into the first set as the teams drew level at 10-10. Jenkins made a solo block to tie the set for the 12th time at 23-23, but the Rams managed to squeak out two kills after their timeout to grab the match lead.
 
Facing a 9-6 deficit during the second set, the Huskies soon received two kills from Virthe that helped Northeastern win eight of 11 points to grab the 14-12 advantage. With the set tied at 17-17, Staunton factored into four consecutive net points that broke open the set for the Huskies, clinching it with an ace on set point.
 
With its intimidating blocking unit, Northeastern lured URI into committing nine attack errors during the third set as NU cruised to the 2-1 match lead. Considering the second and third sets, the Huskies combined to swing 28 kills against five attack errors, hitting .377.
 
As during the first set, Northeastern and Rhode Island played to little separation during the fourth set. Staunton's kill at 23-23 delivered the Huskies their first match point while Arliel converted two kills after 24-24 to secure NU its weekend sweep.
 
Claire Chaplinsky double-doubled to lead the Rams (10 kills, 13 digs) while Mariah Paulette totaled 11 kills. Annie Ell laid claim to 29 assists and nine digs as well.
 
#HowlinHuskies