SYCAMORE – When Sycamore and DeKalb last met on the volleyball court, the Spartans went into the Barbs' gym and beat them.

DeKalb returned the favor on Tuesday, traveling to Sycamore and beating the Spartans in three sets 25-23, 25-20, and 25-12.

The Barbs started off strong, taking a 12-3 lead early in the first set. They led 22-16, but Sycamore’s Maizy Larson serviced the Spartans to seven straight points, giving them a 23-22 lead. However, DeKalb won three straight points to take the first set 25-23.

Sycamore won the second set that was back and forth for most of the set, but the Spartans got good serving from Valerie Hunt and Larson, and won the set 25-20 to force a deciding third set. The Spartans battled in the third match, and were down 17-12 before the Barbs won eight straight points to win the set and the match.

“Overall I think we played well,” Spartans coach Jennifer Charles said. “Our servicing was good in games one and two, but it kind of fell apart in match three. I will say that Maizy had a good game, and Alyssa [Feuerbach] had a good night as well.”

With their third straight victory, the Barbs continue a hot streak that they've been on for the past two weeks.

“These girls are peaking at the right time,” Barbs coach Kyle Milborn said. “We beat Yorkville and Kaneland and Keith in the past two weeks. So I think our mentality is different now than it was at the beginning of the season. I tip my hat to Sycamore and (Charles). She always has a great program going. But we had an all around team effort tonight. Everyone played well."

The Barbs are now 16-11 overall (4-3 in Northern Illinois Big 12 play) and they will host Morris on Thursday. The Spartans are now 18-14 (3-5 in conference play) and they will prepare to face either Belvidere North or Marengo on October 26th at the Belvidere North regional.