NORTH CANTON, Ohio – Northern Michigan volleyball was able to finish out the weekend with a sweep of Walsh with scores of 25-23, 25-21 and 25-22.  The win puts the Wildcats at 8-6 overall and 8-1 in the GLIAC midway through the conference schedule.

The opening set saw eight ties and proved to be a tight affair from start to finish.  Northern Michigan took the lead early but the Wildcats struggled to get into a good rhythm so they could pull away from the Cavaliers.  Walsh was able to stick around in the set to an 18-18 tie.  Walsh then took their first lead of the set with a 4-0 streak going up 22-18.  This run forced the Wildcats to use a timeout, which proved to slow down the Walsh momentum considerably.  Out of the timeout Northern Michigan was able to start a comeback and use a 7-1 run to close out the first set with a 25-23 victory.  The strong finish allowed the Wildcats to finish the set with a .323 hitting percentage.

Walsh came out in the next set fast and took an early 3-0 lead, but this would be the only lead for the Cavaliers the entire set as NMU took the lead at 4-3 and never looked back.  The Wildcats were unable to pull away from Walsh and the Cavaliers did a good job of staying in the set and brought the game to a 19-19 tie, however.  Similarly to the first set, though, Northern Michigan finished out the set with a 6-1 run to take the set at 25-21.

After another tight start with the teams battling each other point for point, Walsh was able to find themselves ahead 16-13.  Northern Michigan then made a push and went on an 8-3 run to take the lead for the first time in the set at 21-19.  The Cavaliers were ready to answer back, however, as they quickly tied the game at 22-22 shortly after.  The Wildcats then went to work and an ace from sophomore defensive specialist Meghan Supple finished off a 3-0 run to end the match with a 25-22 final.

"Another good win today," commented Head Coach Dominic Yoder after the match.  "The team played very well offensively scoring 17 points per set.  Our floor defense really picked up our blockers today.  (Alex) Berger had another strong performance leading us with 23 digs after her 22 performance last night.  (Lisa) Studnicka and (Madison) Whitehead were both tremendous at the net offensively."

Junior outside hitter Lisa Studnicka had a team high 12 kills in the victory with freshman middle hitter Madison Whitehead chipping in another 10.  Junior libero Alex Berger had a game high 23 digs adding in three aces from the service line.

Northern Michigan returns to Vandament Arena next weekend when they face-off against Ohio Dominican Friday, October 10th at 7 p.m. and Tiffin Saturday, October 11th at 4 p.m.

NORTH CANTON, Ohio – Northern Michigan volleyball was able to finish out the weekend with a sweep of Walsh with scores of 25-21, 25-22 and 25-22.  The win puts the Wildcats at 8-6 overall and 8-1 in the GLIAC midway through the conference schedule.

The opening set saw eight ties and proved to be a tight affair from start to finish.  Northern Michigan took the lead early but the Wildcats struggled to get into a good rhythm so they could pull away from the Cavaliers.  Walsh was able to stick around in the set to an 18-18 tie.  Walsh then took their first lead of the set with a 4-0 going up 22-18.  This run forced the Wildcats to use a timeout, which proved to slow down the Walsh momentum considerable.  Out of the timeout Northern Michigan was able to start a comeback and use a 7-1 run to close out a first set victory of 25-23.  The strong finish allowed the Wildcats to finish the set with a .323 hitting percentage.

Walsh came out in the next set fast to an early 3-0 lead, but this would be the only lead for the Cavaliers the entire set as NMU took the lead at 4-3 and never looked back.  The Wildcats were unable to pull away from Walsh and the Cavaliers did a good job of staying in the set and brought the game to a 19-19 tie.  Similarly to the first set, though, Northern Michigan finished out the set with a 6-1 run to take the set at 25-21.

After another tight start with the teams battling each other point for point, Walsh was able to find themselves ahead 16-13.  Northern Michigan then made a push and went on an 8-3 run to take the lead for the first time in the set at 21-19.  The Cavaliers were ready to answer back, however, as they quickly tied the game at 22-22 shortly after.  The Wildcats then went to work and an ace from sophomore defensive specialist Meghan Supple finished off a 3-0 run to end the match with a 25-22 final.

Junior outside hitter Lisa Studnicka had a team high 12 kills in the victory with freshman middle hitter Madison Whitehead chipping in another 10.  Junior libero Alex Berger had a game high 23 digs adding in three aces from the service line.