MARQUETTE, Mich. –The Northern Michigan University volleyball team raised the curtain on the 2010 season Thursday night in the first match of the Superior Oasis Wildcat Open.  NMU (1-0) survived a four-set match against the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers (0-1).  NMU won the first set (25-23), dropped the second set (22-25) before talking the next two sets and the match (25-23, 24-26). 

Newcomer Ana Lopez playing in her first match as a Wildcat responded with 23 kills in 44 total attempts (.455 percentage).  She also recorded 10 digs.  Emma Wolfe and Sami Vierk added 13 and 12 kills respectively.   As a team the 'Cats had 67 kills in 152 total attempts for a hitting percentage of .316.  NMU's side out percentage was 68 percent for the match (66-96). 

Katie Twardzik had two block solos and two block assists on the night.  Kristin Wetzel tallied eight digs. 

Action continues tomorrow with a full day of action.

Superior Oasis Wildcat Open
Friday – Sept. 3
American International vs. Minnesota-Crookston, 9 a.m.
Winona State vs. Lake Superior State, 11:30 a.m.
Minnesota-Crookston vs. Wisconsin-Parkside, 2 p.m.
Lake Superior State vs. American International, 4:30 p.m.
Winona State vs. NMU, 7 p.m.
Saturday – Sept. 4
Minnesota-Crookston vs. Lake Superior State, 8:30 a.m.
Wisconsin-Parkside vs. Winona State, 10:30 a.m.
Minnesota-Crookston vs. NMU, 12:30 p.m.
Winona State vs. American International, 3 p.m.
Lake Superior State vs. Wisconsin-Parkside, 5 p.m.
American International vs. NMU, 7 p.m.

Ticket information for the weekend: 
Day pass (Friday, Saturday) $12 adult/$8 student
Single match $7 adult/$5 student
NMU students free with ID