MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Wildcats of the Northern Michigan University volleyball team begin Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play with three matches inside the friendly confines of Vandament Arena this weekend.
NMU begins the week against Ferris State University on Friday at 7 p.m. in the first Wildcat home match of the year. The weekend GLIAC slate continues Saturday at 4 p.m. against Grand Valley State University at 4 p.m. Weekend action comes to a close Sunday with a match against Davenport University at 2 p.m.
WEEKLY NOTES
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FOLLOW ALONG |
Fans can purchase tickets through NMU or follow the action using video, live stats and audio.
Follow @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continued coverage throughout the week.
Friday VS. Ferris State
Live Stats: https://nmuwildcats.com/sports/wvball/2021-22/boxscores/20210917_juue.xml
Video: https://nmuwildcats.com/links/0j1o2m
Audio: rrnsports.com
Tickets: https://nmuwildcats.com/links/yd9f57
Saturday VS. Grand Valley
Live Stats: https://athletics.uindy.edu/feature/UIndyInvite
Video: https://nmuwildcats.com/links/0j1o2m
Tickets: https://nmuwildcats.com/links/xb2wlj
Sunday VS. Davenport
Live Stats: https://athletics.uindy.edu/feature/UIndyInvite
Video: https://nmuwildcats.com/links/0j1o2m
Audio: rrnsports.com
Tickets: https://nmuwildcats.com/links/y921ks
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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.
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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.
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STAT LEADERS |
Three Wildcats are in the top five of three different statistical categories among their GLIAC peers
Smith is third in kills per set with 3.71 and is tied for fourth with 104 total kills.
There are two NMU student-athletes represented in the services aces per set rankings. Caylie Barlage is second with a mark of 0.57 while Lizzy Stark comes in fourth with 0.50.
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LAST TIME OUT |
The volleyball 'Cats earned two wins on the final day of the UIndy Invitational.
NMU took the first match 3-0 over Bemidji State University and followed that up with a 3-1 win over Cedarville University.
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NMU VS FERRIS STATE |
Friday will mark the 100th match between the Wildcats and the Bulldogs. The teams split their series against each other last year with Ferris State winning match one and NMU taking match two.
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NMU VS GRAND VALLEY |
The Lakers and 'Cats are tied 51-51 all-time in the series that dates back to 1975. NMU last faced Grand Valley in the 2020-21 GLIAC Tournament semifinal where Wildcats won 3-1.
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NMU VS DAVENPORT |
NMU holds a 6-2 lead over the Panthers overall. The Wildcats defeated Davenport three times in the spring by margins of 3-1, 3-2, and 3-1. The final win came in the GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal.
