The Hofstra University volleyball team lost their second game of the season on Sunday, Sept. 24, against the Northeastern University Huskies in straight sets, putting their overall record at 13-2 and conference record at 3-1.

Although they defeated the Huskies the day before with a 3-1 score behind a stellar game from Clara Bal and her season-high 20 kills, the Pride was just off the mark in their second Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) matchup of the season.

The Pride failed to secure high stats in most categories, totaling only 12 kills from Izadora Stedile, four aces by Nil Kayaalp and three blocks in the entire game. Hofstra did hold each match close, losing within four points in all three sets.

In the first match, both teams were neck and neck. With a 9-8 lead, the Pride started to steer away and leave the Huskies behind, pushing to a 15-10 lead by kills from Stedile, Emily Nunes and Yagmur Cinel.

Hofstra maintained a 20-18 lead until consecutive attack errors tied the game for Northeastern at 20-20. The Huskies capitalized and encapsulated multiple kills from Julianna Truscott and Defne Arliel to overtake the Pride 25-23 in the first set.

Hofstra again had a quick head start in the second set, scoring quickly and staying one step ahead of the Huskies off multiple kills. Northeastern geared up and used three attack errors and three kills from Arliel to take a 16-10 lead.

Since Northeastern had the upper hand, Hofstra made things interesting late in the set with Bal and Iyanna Garvin slamming a kill over the net to tie the game 22-22. However, Hofstra’s defense slipped yet again and let three straight attack errors cost them the match, 25-22.

With their backs against the wall, the Pride remained steady heading into the third set, keeping the pace with Northeastern. Hofstra again started off hot all the way to a 9-5 lead behind a Bal kill. The Huskies remained close behind, with help from a strong hand by Truscott and a depleting Hofstra defense.

A Stedile kill tied the game at 18-18, but multiple attack errors continued to bite the Pride back. Another attack error touched by Bal ended the set 25-21 for a 3-0 defeat.

Northeastern now stands at 7-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Arliel led the team with nine kills, and Nyla Shepard led the defense with six blocks.

Hofstra will head back home in their anticipated matchup against the reigning CAA champions, the Towson University Tigers. The two-game series starts on Saturday, Sept. 30, with the serve set for 1 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Alexis Friedman/Hofstra Athletics