Sweep Rangers to open GLIAC Schedule
KENOSHA, Wis. – The Northern Michigan volleyball team opened GLIAC play in impressive fashion on Friday evening, defeating the Parkside Rangers in straight sets 25-23, 25-23, and 25-16.
Northern hit .357 as a team, its best output since October 29, 2022 at Wayne State (.385). The offensive prowess was led by setter Allie Barlow, consistently finding the right point of attack. Barlow recorded a career-high six kills and added 34 assists. She had a near-unstoppable connection with the middle blockers, as Meghan Meyer and McKenzie Gruner combined for 19 kills and a .600 attack percentage.
The first two sets were as tight as could be, with NMU eking out 25-23 nail biters in each. NMU led in kills 16-10 in the first, thanks in large part to the efforts of Meyer and Gruner who combined to hit 10 of 11.
The back-and-forth action carried over to the second and the Wildcats faced a 23-19 hole. It was a good time for an extended run, as the Wildcats rattled off the final six points of the set with Caylie Barlage at the service line. One of Jacqueline Smith’s nine kills sealed the set and a 2-0 lead.
NMU put together another 6-point swing in the third to lead 11-5. That lead would keep expanding to double-up the Rangers 18-9 with victory in sight. One of Barlow’s signature dunk kills from the setter position sealed the win 25-16. NMU hit .387 in the final set, its best frame on the night, and didn’t record an attacking error until 18-11.
The Green and Gold led in kills 43-32 and blocks 6-3. As efficient as the attack was, NMU notched a season-low attack percentage for its opponent, as the Rangers hit just .102.
Up Next
The Wildcats return to the court tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET in a matchup at Purdue Northwest.
