MARQUETTE, Mich. - Northern Michigan University volleyball came back after a slow start to defeat the Timberwolves of Northwood 3-1 (21-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-19).  Junior outside hitter Lisa Studnicka recorded a double-double in the match with 18 kills and 17 digs, both game-highs.

"Lisa really battled defensively and in serve receive for us," said head coach Dominic Yoder after the match.  "She was really able to come back strong in the final two sets offensively.  Pretty proud of her performance."

The Timberwolves opened the match strong scoring seven of the first 10 points before NMU answered back to take the lead at 16-12.  Northwood then went on an 8-2 run to take the lead at 20-18.  The Wildcats were then unable to keep possession of the ball as Northwood took the opener 25-21.

Freshman middle hitter Kayla Chosa opened with three kills and a .750 hitting percentage in the first set.

Northern Michigan answered to start the second set jumping out to a 5-1 lead, but Northwood responded tieing the game at 7-7 shortly after.  NMU then scored six of the next nine points to take the lead at 13-10.  The Wildcats wouldn't look back as the two teams battled point for point with NMU eventually coming out on top 25-22.

Sophomore middle hitter Anna Aycock had four block assists to lead the Wildcats in the set.

The third set opened to an 11-11 draw before Northern Michigan used a 10-1 run to take a comfortable 21-12 lead.  The Wildcats clinched the set shortly after at 25-17. 

NMU had their best attacking performance of the night in the set hitting .273 as a team.  Aycock led the team with five kills in the set, while Studnicka followed chipping in four.

Northwood opened the fourth set with an 11-9 lead hoping to force a set five, but the Wildcats then went on an 11-3 run to take the 20-14 advantage.  The Timberwolves cut into the deficit to bring the score to 22-19 in favor of NMU, but the Wildcats closed out the match scoring the final three points to put the final at 25-19.

Studnicka recorded seven kills in the set with a hitting percentage of .545.

Aycock finished the match with 10 kills behind Studnicka, while junior libero Alex Berger had 12 digs and freshman setter Meghan Seymour dug up another 10 balls.

"Our serve was pretty good again," commented Yoder.  "It allowed us to go on some runs and it prevented them from doing the same.  We'll get ready to play Saginaw Valley here in the next couple days to open the tournament."

Northern Michigan closes out the regular season 14-13 with a 14-4 record in conference play.  The Wildcats now move onto the GLIAC Tournament as the No. 4 overall seed and will host Saginaw Valley Wednesday, November 12 with time to be announced later.