ALLENDALE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan volleyball team was downed by Grand Valley State in four sets Friday night.

The Wildcats won the second set, 25-23, but fell in the other three by 27-25, 25-12 and 25-22 margins.

"I'm proud of my team's effort tonight," head coach Dominic Yoder said. "We had chances in set one to really put pressure on Grand Valley State. Overall, it was a well-played match."

Early in the first set, the Wildcats and Lakers traded points, tying seven times en route to a 10-10 stalemate. After Northern Michigan went on a 5-1 run to pull ahead, 15-11, Grand Valley State rallied with an 8-4 run to tie at 19 apiece. 

The Wildcats took the next five points to come within one point of taking the set, at 24-19. The Lakers responded by taking eight of the next nine points to win, 27-25.

The Lakers carried the momentum from their comeback into the second set, going on a 5-1 run.  The Wildcats responded with an 8-2 run to pull ahead, 9-7. 

Grand Valley State took seven of the next 10 points to pull ahead, 14-12.  Northern Michigan battled back to tie the set at 23 apiece and took the final two points.

In the third set, the Lakers used an early 10-2 run to down the Wildcats. Northern Michigan used an 8-6 run to pull with six, at 16-10, but Grand Valley State took nine of the last 12 points to take the set, 25-12.

In the fourth set, after the teams were tied 10 times, the Lakers went on a 5-1 run to build a 19-15 lead. The Wildcats won the next four points to tie the set at 19 apiece. While the teams tied two more times, the Lakers took the final three points and the victory.

Madison Whitehead recorded 13 kills while Maggie Liebeck contributed 11. Rachel Braunschweig recorded a career-high 27 digs, her third 20-dig effort. Jami Hogeboom had 15 digs and 40 assists.

"Rachel had a great night," Yoder said. "Maggie also gave us good offense."

Northern Michigan returns to action tomorrow, facing Ferris State in Big Rapids, Mich. at 5 p.m.