MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University volleyball Wildcats are back at home this weekend as they welcome one of NMU's biggest rivals, Michigan Technological University, to Marquette in a Halloween match-up.

On Saturday, October 30, the Wildcats take on Michigan Tech starting at 4:00 p.m. in Vandament Arena.

WEEKLY NOTES:

FOLLOW ALONG

Fans can purchase tickets and follow the action using live stats and video.

Follow @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continued coverage throughout the week.

Friday VS. Michigan Tech

Live Stats: https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary

Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/nmu/

Tickets: https://nmu.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=2194&r=81c41c3f1f7445c7beeae60cc804ff6c

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

On the leaderboard this week you can find three volleyball Wildcats in the top five of three different statistical categories.

Jacqueline Smith has remained in a top-five position on the conference leaderboard in three different categories again this week. Starting with kills per set, Smith is ranked number three with a total of 3.83 kills per set. She is also third on the leaderboard for number of kills totaling 299 on the season so far. Along with two other 'Cats, the sophomore has found herself in the top five for service aces per set, coming in at number three with a mark of 0.46.

The volleyball 'Cats are dominating the statistical category of service aces per set this week as three of the top five spots are occupied by Wildcats. Caylie Barlage remained at the top once again this week with a total of 0.53 aces per set. Lizzy Stark has also found her way to the service aces per set leaderboard sitting at number five in the conference with a mark of 0.44

LAST TIME OUT

Last weekend the volleyball 'Cats were on the road around the Midwest as they traveled to Purdue University Northwest and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. On the road, the Wildcats were able to collect two more conference wins.

Starting out the weekend strong, the 'Cats faced Purdue Northwest and took them down in three sets. To aid in the sweep, Lizzy Stark also had herself a game with 17 kills. 

Back in Wisconsin, the team earned themselves another victory, defeating Parkside in a close 3-2 match. Jacqueline Smith had 22 kills and Olivia Webber had four blocks to help the team to victory.

GO GREEN FOR MENTAL HEALTH

The volleyball team is asking all fans coming to the match to wear green to support mental health awareness.

While the color green is one of NMU's colors, it is also used to represent awareness for those who struggle, or know someone who struggles, with mental health.

Wearing green in awareness is a sign of hope, strength, support, and encouragement for those struggling with their mental health.

NMU VS MICHIGAN TECH

The 'Cats already took on the Huskies earlier this season and look to retaliate. NMU volleyball has met MTU 113 times in the last 45 years with the Wildcats earning 87 wins. The program has a .756 win percentage over Tech, and the team hopes to add to that this weekend.