MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan volleyball team dropped a five-set thriller to GLIAC South leader Wayne State Friday evening at Vandament Arena.

"Hats off to Wayne State; they served against us very aggresively," head coach Dominic Yoder said. "The team competed with the Warriors in every other statistical category; we just needed a few key receptions to put more pressure on them. I'm proud of how our offense kept us in the match. Tomorrow's a new day and a new opportunity."

The Wildcats, who have now played in three-straight five-set matches, fell in the decisive fifth frame by a 15-9 margin.

Northern Michigan jumped out to a 1-0 lead behind a 25-23 victory in the first set. The teams were tied 13 times, including at 21-21, before the Wildcats drew away for good on back-to-back kills by Marta Fraga Guntin and Kayla Chosa.

The Warriors took the second set by a commanding 25-13 margin, building a 13-5 advantage on the strength of an 8-0 run and never looking back.

The Wildcats regrouped, running out to a 7-3 lead in the third set. Wayne State then won 14 of the next 20 points to pull ahead, 17-13. Northern Michigan answered with an 8-3 run to regain the lead, at 21-20, and went on to win 25-23.

In the fourth set, the Wildcats couldn't erase an early six-point disadvantage, despite drawing a close as 23-20 thanks to a late 4-0 run, and fell 25-21.

The Warriors carried the momentum from their four set victory into the final frame, racing out to a 7-1 advantage and never looking back.

Throughout the match, Wayne State played solid defense, totaling 23 blocks. Hailey Richardson led the Warrior attack with a match-high 20 kills.

Four Wildcats finished in the double digits in kills: Madison Whitehead (16), Bridget Bussell (13), Kayla Chosa (12) and Marta Fraga Guntin (11). Megan Dahl and Autumn Monsma each posted 15 digs while Jami Hogeboom finished one assist shy of 50.

With the loss, Northern Michigan falls to 9-7 (3-3 GLIAC). The Wildcats return to action at Vandament Arena tomorrow, squaring off against Findlay at 2 p.m.