MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan volleyball team dropped a five-set heartbreaker to Grand Valley State Friday night at Vandament Arena in front of 232 fans.

"Our players played tough," head coach Dominic Yoder said. "I'm happy with our performance tonight. Our blocking and serving was spot on."

After losing the first set, 25-20, the Wildcats regrouped to win the second by the same margin. The Lakers then won the third set, 25-22, but Northern Michigan responded with a commanding 25-12 victory in the fourth to force a fifth set.

In that fifth set, the teams traded points, at one point being tied at eight apiece, until Grand Valley State pulled away to win, 15-10.

Kayla Chosa (16) and Madison Whitehead (12) reached the double digits in kills. Defensively, five Wildcats reached the double digits in digs: Lisa Studnicka (25), Alex Berger (20), Jami Hogeboom (13), Autumn Monsma (13) and Megan Dahl (12). Hogeboom also reached the 40-assist plateau, totaling 41.

"Our two sophomores, Chosa and Whitehead, did a real nice job mixing their offensive shots," Yoder said. "Defensively, Berger and Studnicka really kept the GVSU offense at bay."

With the loss, Northern Michigan falls to 16-8 (5-7 GLIAC). The Widcats return to action tomorrow at 4 p.m. when they take on No. 1 Ferris State at 4 p.m.