Madison York has career-high 15 kills
HAMMOND, Ind. – The Northern Michigan volleyball team ended the Midwest Region Crossover in dominant fashion, earning a sweep over the Ashland Eagles 25-19, 25-21, and 25-13, with the match only lasting just over an hour in total time.
Northern was clicking in all facets of the game. Leading the efforts was Madison York, who recorded a career-high 15 kills on a .481 attack percentage. She led NMU in kills in each frame with five in the first, six in the second, and four more in the final. York sparked a .285 team hitting percentage, the highest for the ‘Cats this season.
After only one set with double-digit kills at the tournament, the offense came to life on Saturday afternoon, recording 17 kills in the first, and 16 kills in each of the final two sets. The Wildcats totaled 49, their highest output in three sets this season. It was also the most team kills in a three-set match since they reached 50 against Lake Superior State on September 30, 2023.
The offense may have even had more chances to boost those numbers if it weren’t for the dominance at the service line. NMU collected nine aces, tying a season-high. Kaylie McIntosh and Liesl Haugen each had three, while Taylor Smaka added a pair. McIntosh finished second on the team with 10 kills, while Haugen had 10 digs. Allie Barlow also had 10 digs to go along with 38 assists.
“I am proud of the team for a great bounce back today,” said assistant coach Kamryn Duffield. “This match was by far the best as we executed our serve and pass game which gave us the ability to run a more dynamic offense. It was a great all-around victory for the ‘Cats!”
In 35 all-time meetings with Ashland, it is NMU’s eighth sweep of the Eagles, but their first in the last 23 meetings (2003 – 30-16, 30-28, 30-17).
With the victory, the Green and Gold improve to 8-11 on the season and maintain a 5-2 GLIAC record when conference play resumes next week. The Eagles dropped to 11-8 overall and did not win a set at the tournament.
How it Happened
The setter Allie Barlow recorded a pair of kills in the early stages of the opening set as the teams played to an early 5-5 deadlock. The Wildcats began to attack from multiple sides, and a pair of kills off the lefty swing of York triggered a 4-0 run and an 11-7 lead. The Eagles shrank the gap to 13-12, but NMU weathered the storm and didn’t let the Eagles pull even until 16-16.
From there, the Wildcats turned to freshman Kaylie McIntosh, as she recorded three kills over a five-point stretch to lead 20-18. The Wildcats then put the foot on the gas and scored the final five points with two kills from Kaysie Bakke and an ace from McIntosh to win 25-19. NMU hit .310 in the opening frame with a tournament-high 17 kills. York and McIntosh each recorded five kills with a .500 or better hitting percentage.
The success from York and McIntosh in the first carried over to the second as they quickly contributed a kill and another ace to lead 4-2. The Eagles scored the next four points and eventually built their largest lead of the match at 15-10.
Once again, Northern turned to the duo of York and McIntosh, as York added three kills and McIntosh pinpointed her third ace to get the team back within one. NMU controlled play the rest of the set, going on a 12-2 run to lead 22-17 and eventually close it out 25-21 with two Gruner kills and the set-sealer from McIntosh.
The Wildcats hit .250 in the second set with 16 kills. The Eagles posted a better attack percentage at .303, but four aces from the ‘Cats proved the difference. York paced NMU with six kills.
The run of aces for the Green and Gold carried into the third when Haugen recorded a pair to lead 5-1. Another 3-0 run with a Smaka ace pushed the advantage to 8-2. One last lengthy run was in store, as four kills from McIntosh and yet another ace from McKenzie Gruner widened the gap to 17-5 with eight straight points. In the final moments, York put the finishing touch on a career performance with her 15th kill to help NMU win the set 25-13 and the match 3-0.
Northern closed the final frame with 16 kills on a .297 attack percentage to go along with four more aces.
Up Next
Northern returns to GLIAC play next week, hosting Grand Valley State and Wayne State on October 24 and 25.
