TIFFIN, Ohio — The Northern Michigan volleyball team was downed by Tiffin in four sets Friday evening.

The Wildcats won the second set, 25-21, but fell in the other three by 25-17, 26-24 and 25-20 margins.

"This was a tough loss for us, but I'm proud of how the team battled," head coach Dominic Yoder said. "We just missed on opportunities to pull ahead."

In the first set, the teams traded points in the early goings. With the teams locked at eight apiece, the Dragons pulled away by winning three-straight points. Northern Michigan was unable to draw even or within a single point again, and Tiffin closed out the set with a 12-6 run.

The second set played out similarly to the first. The teams were tied eight times until the Wildcats opened up a 15-11 lead by winning four-straight points with Jami Hogeboom serving. They never allowed the Dragons back within one point, using a 14-10 run.

The third set went to extra points after Tiffin erased a two-point deficit to tie the match at 23 all. The Dragons pulled ahead, 2-1, by winning three of the final four points.

After falling into an early hole, Northern Michigan rallied in the fourth set. With Tiffin holding a comfortable 19-12 advantage, the Wildcats went on an 8-3 run to draw within two points. That was as close as they would come, as the Dragons won the final three points of the set to secure their 3-1 victory.

With 52, Hogeboom reached the 50-assist plateau for the fourth time this season and the eighth time in her career.

Madison Whitehead posted a match-high 17 kills. Marta Fraga Guntin contributed 10 kills and 14 digs while Megan Dahl recorded 21 digs.

"Jami really worked to make our offensive successful," Yoder said. "Madison and Marta did a great job for us offensively while Dahl was very good for us in serve receive and defense."

With the loss, Northern Michigan's four-game winning streak was snapped. The Wildcats, now 8-5 (2-1 GLIAC) return to action tomorrow when they face Ashland at 2 p.m.