GREEN BAY, Wisc. – Despite a valiant third set comeback, Indiana State fell to Northeastern in the opening match of the 2019 season on Friday evening.
 
Northeastern started the match strong and didn't look back, claiming the victory, 1-3 [21-25, 20-25, 28-26, 20-25].
 
It was a tough offensive day for the Sycamores, hitting only .152 to Northeastern's .250. Nikkie White was the leader on offense, tallying 14 kills and hitting .219 to go along with three digs on defense. Overall, ISU ended with 51 kills.
 
Defensively the Trees and Huskies were nearly identical when it came to digs with the edge going to Northeastern, 74-73. Four Sycamores recorded double-digit digs: Melina Tedrow (21), Gretchen Kuckkan (16), Taylor Shelton (11) and Chloe Mason (10).
 
The Huskies were dominant at the net, recording 14 blocks to Indiana State's seven.
 
A bright spot on the evening for the blue and white was freshman Gretchen Kuckkan, as she recorded a double-double in her first collegiate match with 11 kills and 16 digs.
 
First Set - Northeastern 25, Indiana State 21

• Northeastern came out hot and started the match on a 13-5 run before taking the set, 25-20.
• The Sycamores struggled hitting in the first set, hitting .049 in the set compared to Northeastern's .235.
• Kuckkan led the Trees with five kills in the set while fellow freshman Shelton hit a team-best .333.
• Errors plagued ISU in the frame as the Sycamores committed 10 errors on 12 kills while the Huskies recorded two errors to go along with 10 kills.

 
Second Set: Northeastern 25, Indiana State 20

• Indiana State continued to struggle in the second frame, hitting .162 to Northeastern's .314. The Sycamores came away with 13 kills in the set.
• Nikkie White was the leader on the offensive side for ISU with five kills.
• Freshman setter Chloe Mason led the blue and white in assists with 12 and earned one kill in the set.
• Tedrow and Mason led the defensive effort with seven digs each.

 
Third Set: Indiana State 28, Northeastern 26

• After trailing 23-17, the Sycamores ended the set on an 11-3 run to force a fourth set.
• During the run, White registered three straight kills, eventually going on to record five for the fourth frame.
• Jade York and Madeline Williams both served up aces en route to the set victory.
• The Trees out-hit Northeastern, .300-.286, cutting down attack errors to just three compared to five attack errors and six service errors for the Huskies.
• Tedrow put on a strong defensive performance with nine digs to lead the team.

 
Fourth Set: Northeastern 25, Indiana State 20

• The Sycamores struggled on the offensive side in the final set, hitting .100.
• Northeastern was strong on defense, holding White to just two kills in the frame.
• Both ISU and the Huskies finished with seven attack errors, but Northeastern had the edge in kills, 14-11.
• Kuckkan tallied the most digs for the period, ending at eight.

 
Up next: The Sycamores will match-up with Fresno State tomorrow at noon in their second game of the Green Bay Invitational.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.