In only its second year in the competitive Colonial Athletic Association, the volleyball team secured a spot in the CAA Tournament with two games left to play in the regular season.

The Northeastern News Player of the Week, junior outside hitter Kira Batura, helped lead the team to a 3-2 win over George Mason Saturday, posting a double-double with 17 kills and 16 digs.

“Last year we didn’t even get a shot at playing in the tournament,” Batura said. “With two games left in the season, it is good to know we are in.”

The team fell to James Madison Friday in a 3-1 match. Batura had a double-double with 12 kills and 15 digs and tallied 10 double-doubles with a six-in-a-row streak.

In a 3-2 loss to Delaware Oct. 28, Batura had 21 digs, which rose her career total to 1,377, breaking a 15-year-old school record of 1,365 career digs.

“I don’t play for school records,” Batura said. “I play for my team, and I play to win.”

Batura had a strong rookie season with the Huskies in 2004, and was named America East Rookie of the Year. She was named America East Rookie of the Week five times, a conference high. She ended the season first on the team in service aces with 39 and second in kills and digs with 308 and 484, respectively.

In her second season with the Huskies, Batura was third in the CAA and led the team with 516 digs, averaging 4.91 per game. Playing just nine matches as an outside hitter, Batura still tallied 107 kills, good for sixth on the team.

“I don’t pay attention to stats at all,” Batura said. “As an athlete you know if you played a good game or a bad game.”

In three seasons as a Husky, Batura has switched between the position of outside hitter and libero. She played as an outside hitter during her rookie season, and since then has alternated between the two positions, playing most of her second season as libero.

“I just have to be one of those versatile players for the team,” Batura said.

With two matches left in the regular season, the Huskies, who are in fourth place with a 13-11 overall record (10-6 CAA), look at both matches as must-wins. They will host Georgia State Friday and UNC Wilmington Sunday on Senior Day.

“We really need to focus on playing together as a team and playing great volleyball,” Batura said. “When we play well together, no one can stop us.”

– Danielle Ossher, News Correspondent