MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University volleyball Wildcats travel south to take the court against Purdue University Northwest on Friday and then head north on Saturday to go against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
On Friday, October 22, the 'Cats play an evening game against the Pride at 8 p.m. in Hammond, Ind., then make their way to Kenosha, Wis. to face the Rangers at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
WEEKLY NOTES:
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow the action using live stats, audio, and video.
Follow @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continued coverage throughout the week.
Friday VS. Purdue Northwest
Live Stats:
https://pnwathletics.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Video:
https://www.jedtv.com/pnw-athletics.html
Audio:
https://streamdb8web.securenetsystems.net/cirruscontent/wupk
Saturday VS. Parkside
Live Stats:
https://gliac.prestosports.com/sports/wvball/2021-22/boxscores/20211023_e64z.xml
Video:
https://team1sports.com/Parkside/
Audio:
https://streamdb8web.securenetsystems.net/cirruscontent/wupk
PRESEASON POLLS
The Wildcats were picked second in the GLIAC North Division with 50 points, finishing one point behind Michigan Tech and 16 points ahead of Northwood. NMU received two first-place votes in the conference poll.
KEY RETURNERS
2020-21 GLIAC Freshman of the Year and GLIAC Tournament MVP sophomore
Jacqueline Smith is back for the Wildcats this season. The sophomore led the team in total kills, kills per set, points, and points per set.
GLIAC First Team student-athletes
Lauren Van Remortel and
Meghan Meyer also return to the NMU roster. Van Remortel, the team's setter, led the team in assists last season. Meyer, a sophomore, was No. 1 on the team and in the GLIAC in attacking percentage while leading the team in total blocks.
STAT LEADERS
This week three Wildcats made an appearance on the GLIAC leaderboard in three different statistical categories.
Jacqueline Smith has remained in her top five positions on the conference leaderboard and is currently ranked third again this week in kills per set with 3.86 and in overall kills with a grand total of 270.
This week on the service aces per set rankings, NMU dominated by taking three of the five top positions.
Caylie Barlage moves to the top position with a mark of 0.54. Following in fourth place,
Jacqueline Smith makes an appearance this week with a 0.44 mark. Close behind in fifth place,
Lizzy Stark moves up from last week's ranking, coming out with a mark of 0.42.
LAST TIME OUT
Last weekend the Wildcats competed in the Midwest Region Crossover Tournament in Indiana, the Cats' played three games coming out with a 2-1 record.
Friday, Northern played one game against Southwest Baptist University taking a 3-1 set win. With a jam-packed Saturday, the Cats' faced Maryville University (Mo.) in the morning and Ursuline College in the evening.
The Saints and the Wildcats fought hard through five sets, with a final set score of 3-2 in favor of the Saints. In the evening, NMU swept the Arrows in three straight-set.
Jacqueline Smith was named to the Midwest Region Crossover All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the action.
NMU VS PURDUE NORTHWEST
In NMU volleyball's long history, the 'Cats have only competed against the Pride three times, with a 3-0 record. This weekend's matchup will be the first time taking the court since 2019.
NMU VS PARKSIDE
The 'Cats first faced Parkside in 1985 at a tournament in Duluth, Minn., taking home a win. In their most recent match in 2021, NMU won at home with a final match score of 3-1. Over?? the Wildcats' 36 year career against the Rangers, the 'Cats have a victorious record of 15-5 in matches played.
