SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University Volleyball opened Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at Lake Superior State University and held on to defeat the Lakers 3-2.

The teams extended the first set, but NMU held on for a 29-27 victory.  The Wildcats then went on to win the second set 25-21.  In the third set, the Lakers won 25-21 and followed it by capturing the fourth set 25-20. NMU jumped to a quick lead and held a slight lead throughout the set, until they eventually claimed a 15-12 set victory and 3-2 match win.

Leading the Wildcats was sophomore Leticia Antunes (Florianopolis, Brazil/Colegio Ofelia Fonseca) with 18 kills and 21 digs. Senior Autumn Monsma (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven) added 17 kills and 19 digs.

Senior Maggie Liebeck (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) chipped in with nine kills.  Senior Lynzi Svoboda (Minneapolis, Minn./Minneapolis Southwest) posted 38 assists and 10 digs.

Senior Rachel Braunschweig (Alamo, Calif./San Ramon Valley) aided the defense with 20 digs. Junior Sarah Kuehn (Green Bay, Wisc./De Pere) notched four blocks while Antunes and Liebeck contributed three each.

The Wildcats move to 9-0, 1-0 in the GLIAC and return to league play Saturday as they visit Saginaw Valley State University.