HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Receiving a handful of career-high performances from
Nailah Jenkins and
Kayla Martin on Friday, the Northeastern volleyball team started its CAA schedule with the convincing, four-set win against Hofstra at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center: 25-27, 25-15, 25-18, 25-18.
Jenkins set new career highs in kills (12) and digs (five) while tying her career-best mark in blocks (eight). The NU sophomore was responsible for one lone error on 19 attacks, finishing with the match high, .579 hit percentage.
Likewise, Martin achieved a career high with her 27-dig outing, keeping the Huskies in points throughout the afternoon. Offensively, she delivered three aces – the third of which clinched NU the victory on match point.
Northeastern (4-1, 1-0 CAA North) mastered a 17-point advantage against Hofstra (3-1, 0-1 CAA North) from blocks and aces alone. The Huskies combined to yield 15 blocks at a +9 margin and sent over 12 aces, four of which came off the serve of freshman
Defne Arliel.
Erica Staunton opened play with the first of her match high, 16 kills, though Northeastern would soon allow the Pride to control tempo and claim the 14-10 lead.
Brianna Daphnis's monster kill at 17-14 prompted the Huskies to win eight of the next nine points, but Hofstra later recovered to deny NU set point at 25-24 and steal the 27-25 victory.
Northeastern dominated the second set to level the match, accounting for 14 kills, four blocks and two aces.
Liz Carroll set back-to-back kills for Jenkins and Staunton to put the Huskies on top, 15-10, prior to NU icing the set with its 7-1 scoring run.
Combining for five aces and five blocks during the third set, Northeastern was able to score in bunches as the Huskies broke away to the commanding lead. Carroll and Jenkins united on Northeastern's 10th block of the match to put NU ahead, 15-9, before the Huskies extended their lead to as large as nine points.
Shupe set Arliel for a kill to break the fourth set's 11-11 tie, helping Northeastern make its move for the match. The Huskies soon completed another 8-1 scoring run to take full control, winning the final three points after Hofstra had closed within 22-18.
Madeline Matheny led the Pride with 10 kills while Damla Tokman charted six kills and four blocks. Juliana Vaz made 22 digs out of the back row for Hofstra.
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