Jacqueline Smith closing in on a career record
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan volleyball team improved to 8-4, 4-1 on the season with a four-set victory over the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals on Friday night at Vandament Arena, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21, and 25-14.
Jacqueline Smith came alive in the final set for the Green and Gold, notching half of her match-high 16 kills in the fourth. She now sits at 1,656 career kills, just eight away from tying, and nine shy of breaking the program’s all-time mark set by Andrea Gommans at 1,664.
Meghan Meyer reached double-digit kills with 13, all while hitting a very efficient .524. McKenzie Gruner also notched 10 kills herself, hitting .500. Allie Barlow consistently found the right point of attack throughout the night, handing out 40 assists, the second most in a four-set match for her this season.
“I think today was a test of our grit and mentality on the court since we didn’t come out exactly how we wanted,” said Barlow following the win. “We proved to ourselves that we’re able to make a switch and push through when we need to, and I’m super proud of us for recognizing it and doing something about it. We pulled through with a great win and we’re ready to get back at it tomorrow night!
Northern recorded a season-high 13 aces, and jump started the match with five in the opening set. It was Meyer with a career-high five and Barlow tying a career-high with another five that powered the ‘Cats to its best night on the service line since the team recorded 15 last October, also against SVSU.
The Wildcats never trailed in the first frame, slowly building its lead as the set progressed and finishing it off with a nine-point edge, 25-16.
The Cardinals responded in the second, holding the lead until the Wildcats clawed back and went ahead 20-19. NMU would lead by three, but the visitors responded and recorded back-to-back blocks to take the set 25-23.
Northern bounced right back to start the third, leading 5-1, but SVSU chipped away and took the lead midset at 15-13. NMU responded and secured the set on kills from Smith and Gruner, 25-21.
Smith struck early again in the fourth, getting four early kills before the concessions crowd could settle back into their seats as NMU led 5-1. The Green and Gold would control the set, led by Smith’s 8 kills, and run away with a 25-14 win. NMU hit .433 in the closing frame, its second best set of the season.
Up Next
The Wildcats return to action tomorrow, October 5, at 4 p.m. against UP-rival Lake Superior State.
