Hangs on to defeat Wisconsin Parkside
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan volleyball team went to a decisive fifth set for the second time this week, and again emerged victorious, edging the Parkside Rangers 25-19, 15-25, 25-21, 21-25, and 15-13.
The Wildcats notched 63 kills on the afternoon while hitting .195. On senior night, Jacqueline Smith led the way with 20 kills, the fifth time she’s reached that mark this season. Smith totaled 62 kills over the three-match stretch this week. She added 11 digs, two blocks, and two aces.
Northern had a career-performance from sophomore Kaysie Bakke who added 15 kills and seven digs.
“Tonight was definitely a battle,” Bakke said following the match. “We had some ups and downs, but I’m happy about how we fought through it together. I’m so proud of the team for getting it done in the end. Overall it was a good week!”
Caylie Barlage led the way defensively with 17 digs. Parkside’s Natalie Harris had a match-high 31 digs while Kendal Zeiter paced the Rangers with 15 kills.
In the opening set, the Wildcats broke away as the set progressed. NMU led 20-12 and although the Rangers closed the gap to three, NMU finished the first with a 25-19 win and a 12-5 kills advantage.
Opposite to set one, the Rangers were the ones to create separation in the middle of the set in the second, going on an 8-0 run to lead 20-9 and eventually win 25-15. The Rangers hit .375 in the second after -.070 in the first.
The Rangers started hot again in the third, leading 4-0, but the ‘Cats kept chipping away and would lead 11-8 after a six-point run. Northern slowly built upon its lead in the set and would hang on in a tight one, 25-21. Both teams hit well in the third, with NMU having the slight advantage, .313 to .281.
Allie Barlow was all over the start of the fourth set, having her contributions in NMU’s first six points with two kills, a block, and an assist to three different players. The Rangers hung around and a 5-0 run from the visitors gave them their first lead at 20-19. They’d score four of the final five to win 25-21 and push the match to five. NMU had a notable 18 kills in the set, but tripped up with six errors.
Smith got things going in the fifth with a kill, but the Rangers were the first to a multi-point lead at 5-3 and kept it that way as the teams switched sides, 8-6. NMU scored the next three and although played tight, didn’t trail after that. A Bakke kill got NMU to match point and an attacking error from the Rangers sealed the win for NMU.
With four matches left in the regular season, NMU improved to 16-7, 10-3 and could clinch a home GLIAC Tournament quarterfinals match next weekend. The Rangers dropped to 9-13, 5-7 with the loss.
Up Next
The Wildcats will hit the road next weekend with matches at undefeated Ferris State and Davenport.
