Wildcats won first set 25-8
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan (NMU) Wildcats (14-13, 11-4 GLIAC) earned a decisive victory over the Lakers of Lake Superior State (LSSU) (1-21, 1-14 GLIAC) by a score of 3-0 on Friday.
The Wildcats used a balanced attack with McKenzie Gruner (14), Madison York (13), and Sydney Bartels (10) all notching double-digit kills with York leading the team in hit percentage on an impressive mark of .684. Meanwhile, Bartels led the team in digs with 12, and Allie Barlow recorded 46 assists on the night.
How it Happened
The Wildcats set the tone early, quickly taking control of the opening set and finding themselves ahead 10-2 after multiple service aces by Allie Barlow. NMU kept their foot on the accelerator with a run of 7-0 that featured four kills from Sydney Bartels, widening the set score out to 20-5. The Lakers fought back with a pair of blocks, but the Wildcats settled back in to close out the set with a 5-1 run as Emilia Gulock closed out the set with three consecutive kills.
The Wildcats again held the early advantage in the second set, opening the stanza ahead 3-0 after an ace from Liesl Haugen, but the Lakers were able to tie up the score at 4-4. NMU was able to go back in front by three, but LSSU would not go away as both teams battled to an 18-18 stalemate. However, after using a timeout to settle themselves, the Wildcats would take control of the set with a 7-1 run behind multiple kills from Madison York to close out the set and take a commanding 2-0 advantage in the match.
In the third, Lauren Cardwell served another ace to put her team ahead 6-3, but the Lakers fought back with a 6-1 run of their own to take their first lead of the night. The Wildcats were able to go back in front with a 4-0 scoring spurt, but LSSU reclaimed the lead with a 4-0 run, themselves. NMU responded as kills from York and Kaysie Bakke pushed the Wildcats ahead 19-15, but the Lakers would not go away so easily, using a 7-1 run to go ahead 22-20. However, McKenzie Gruner would take over with three more kills as the Wildcats finished the set with a 5-1 run to close out the match 3-0.
Up Next
The Wildcats will now look to close out the regular season when they host the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals on Saturday, Nov. 15 with the first serve scheduled for 3 p.m.
