📹 | Communication has been a big factor in the #HowlinHuskies' active five-match winning streak.

Head coach Lenika Vazquez shares what elements came through for NU during Sunday's four-set CAA win against Hofstra: pic.twitter.com/LlGc8D2IQb

— Northeastern Volleyball (@GoNUwvolleyball) March 8, 2021

BOSTON – With sophomore Nailah Jenkins delivering 10 kills, five blocks and four aces on Sunday afternoon, the Northeastern volleyball team posted its fifth straight victory in style, dropping Hofstra in four sets at Cabot Center: 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-22.
 
Jenkins earned her 10 kills on 22 tries, registering two attack errors to hit .364 during the match. The sophomore middle blocker shared the pins with fellow second-year Erica Staunton, who chalked 17 kills on 44 attacks (hit .295) while accounting for three blocks and six digs.
 
Kayla Martin finished the day as one of three double-digit dig earners for the Huskies, controlling 19 while serving two of the team's nine aces. Freshman defensive specialist Maddie Donaphon set a rookie season high with 15 digs while first-year attacker Defne Arliel paired seven kills with 13 digs.
 
Samantha Shupe handled the majority of the setting for Northeastern (5-1, 2-0 CAA North), which has won five straight matches for the first time since 2017. The NU senior made 26 assists while tallying four kills, seven digs, two blocks and two aces.
 
Northeastern started strong, prevailing during the opening set for the first time this season. Staunton provided five of the Huskies' 11 first set kills, swinging two during the team's 9-2 scoring run that vaulted NU out to the 23-13 lead.
 
Despite grabbing the second set's early, 5-1 lead, Northeastern soon fell out of rhythm, allowing Hofstra (3-2, 0-2 CAA North) to scoot in front, 11-8. Shupe's quick reaction to one of Arliel's receptions helped the Huskies level the set at 20-20, but the Pride responded with three straight points, breaking away for the final time.
 
Northeastern nearly led the third set from wire to wire, quickly doubling up Hofstra at 10-5 and 12-6. Jenkins put the finishing touches on the Huskies' 25-15 victory, scoring three of the squad's final six points courtesy of two kills and a block.
 
NU opened the fourth set forcefully by recording three blocks during the opening four points yet allowed the Pride to sneak back into the set. Staunton's kill at 17-17 snapped the visitors' five-point scoring run before the Huskies' netminders lured Hofstra into committing three attack errors in short succession.
 
Jenkins proceeded to close out the match for Northeastern, locking in the Huskies' final three points courtesy of her block, kill and ace combination.
 
Bianca Bucciarelli and Ana Martinovic led the Pride with 14 and 12 kills, respectively. Hofstra's Juliana Vaz led all defensive specialists with 21 digs.
 
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