AURORA, ILL. – The Northern Michigan University volleyball team wrapped up play at the Great Lakes Valley Conference and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference crossover on Saturday (Oct. 26) from Aurora, Ill. The Wildcats (17-7, 10-1 GLIAC) took a split on the day by downing Missouri Science and Technology, 3-0, before being edged, 3-2 by Truman State. The 'Cats finish the Crossover Tournament with one win and a loss. 

In the first match of the day the 'Cats beat Missouri S & T in three straight sets (25-17, 25-15 and 25-21). The Wildcats opened each of the three sets by taking the lead, and holding their ground, and not allowing the Miners to take advantage. Serving and blocking were the keys to success for the Wildcats, notching nine service aces and eight blocks for the match.

"Our serving and blocking this morning was outstanding," stated head coach Dominic Yoder. "Kellisha made many good reads and sets to create our scoring opportunities."

Senior Kalli Herron tallied three of the aces and senior Lina Lopes finished with two. Senior Sarah Hamilton contributed on two of the blocks in addition to two solo blocks. Lopes led all players with 14 kills on the morning and Herron added with 12. As a team, the Wildcats finished with 46 kills for a .290 attack percentage in the match with Missorui S&T. Senior Kellisha Harley (11), sophomore Alex Berger (11) and Lopes (10) each had digs in the double digits. Harley set up the offense with 39 assists.

The Miners (12-12 and 7-4 GLVC) ended the morning with Krista Haslag leading in kills with nine to contribute to the team's 28 for the match for a .151 attack percentage. Caitlin Brocker finished with 10 digs, Allie Plunk and Hayley Wright each added eight.

In the afternoon match the Wildcats were edged by Truman State. NMU took the first set 25-18 before falling 25-20 and 25-17 in the next two sets. The Wildcats came back to take set number four, 25-17 to force the match into set five where Truman State dominated to win 15-6. The first four sets against Truman were defensive battles with numerous ties and lead changes.

"The girls played their hearts out. We served and blocked well in sets one and four," stated Yoder. "We ran into an aggressive serving team in Truman that was able to take us out of our game plan."

Herron (19) and Lopes (17) led both teams in kills, while freshman Alex Larsen (13) and Hamilton (12) each had double digit kills. NMU ended the match with 66 total kills for a .247 attack percentage. Berger finished with 17 digs, Lopes added 15 and Harley had 10. Lopes and freshman Megan Dahl each had three service aces out of the team's nine. Harley also contributed with 50 assists.

The Bulldogs (17-7, 10-1 GLVC) were led by Allie Brak with 15 kills, Kassi Schroeder had 12 and Abby Heise added 11. TSU finished with 66 kills for a .247 attack percentage. Meghan Zimerman and Abby Moser each recorded 12 digs.

NMU was defeated in its first game of the crossover on Friday (Oct. 25), 3-0 by Southern Indiana.

The Wildcats return home for three matches in four days from Vandament Arena. On the weekend, Grand Valley State comes to town on Friday (Nov. 1) at 7 p.m. and the 'Cats take on Ferris State for senior day on Saturday (Nov. 2) at 4 p.m. NMU will host Michigan Technological University at Vandament Arena on  Tuesday (Nov. 5).

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