BOSTON – With freshman
Defne Arliel playing into its first set success on Saturday, the Northeastern volleyball team secured the early lead against Delaware, despite allowing the Blue Hens to steal the four-set result at Cabot Center: 17-25, 25-23, 25-11, 25-19.
Arliel was instrumental to the Huskies' eight-point triumph during the opening set, where she smoked seven kills across her first 10 attacks. The rookie outside hitter finished a kill shy of notching her second double-double of the season, settling for 14 digs, three aces and a block.
Erica Staunton paced NU with 14 kills while tallying a block and five digs.
Nailah Jenkins registered nine kills, two blocks, five digs and two aces while senior setter
Samantha Shupe accounted for 28 assists and seven digs.
Northeastern (5-2, 2-1 CAA North) flexed its attack from the start of the match, cranking out 17 first set kills – nine of which were earned after the teams had met for the final time at 11-11. Shupe completed an errorless set, racking up 11 assists prior to her connecting on the set-clinching kill.
After hitting .517 during the first set, Northeastern returned to earth as Delaware (2-4, 1-2 CAA North) worked its way back into the match. Staunton slammed an unassisted kill to knot the second set for the 11th time at 22-22, but Grace Underwood's timely ace allowed the Blue Hens to side out late for the 25-23 victory.
Northeastern fell out of sync during the third set as the Blue Hens ran away with their 10-8 lead, winning 15 of the final 18 points. Delaware's net presence then continued to frustrate the Huskies during the fourth set, where the visitors executed five of their 11 blocks.
Savannah Seemans (13 kills, 11 digs) and Michaela Putnicki (10 kills, 11 digs) both double-doubled to lead the Blue Hens. Delaware's Pearce Augier also totaled the match high, seven blocks.
Northeastern hosted its Think Pink Match on Saturday, calling awareness to education and fundraising efforts regarding women's cancers.
#HowlinHuskies
