SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan Volleyball team took on Lake Superior State for the second time this season. This time in the Soo. The Wildcats dominated 3-2.
SET ONE
Lake Superior State opened the match with the first point and scored three. Jacqueline Smith opened up the scoring for the 'Cats and the team brought the score to 2-3.
The Lakers tried to climb the leaderboard some more, but Gruner and Stark squared it up at four. Two kills by Thompson and Meyer gave the 'Cats possession and the lead, 6-5.
Lake Superior State pulled through and took the lead 7-9. A kill by Lizzy Stark and an error by LSSU once again tied the score at 9.
The Lakers went on a run and brought the score to 11-14. McKenzie Gruner started a retaliation for the 'Cats, but they still trailed 13-15.
The 'Cats called a timeout to gain their momentum, but the Lakers took the point after it. LSSU lead 13-18. Jacqueline served up an immaculate ace and followed it with a kill. This forced the Lakers into a timeout.
Lake Superior State still had the lead 17-20, but a well-placed kill by Lizzy Stark tallied a point for the 'Cats.
LSSU was sticking their ground and brought it to set point, 24-18. An attack error from the 'Cats secured the set for the Lakers.
SET TWO
The 'Cats came in strong in the second set. Lauren Van Remortel tallied an ace. The Lakers quickly answered, and took the lead 1-2.
An attack error and a meticulous kill by Stark pushed the score to the 'Cats, 4-3.
The score continued to shift, favoring both teams. An astonishing play by Crowley and Smith brought the 'Cats the lead again. LSSU followed with an attack error, and Smith claimed another kill. The score was now 9-6 going into a Laker timeout.
Climbing the scoreboard, the 'Cats now sat in the driver's seat 13-11. An absolute laser across the net earned Smith an ace. Rayne Thomson followed with a kill and forced the lakers to take a timeout. The score was now 15-11.
LSSU came off the timeout with a bad set and a kill. They tried to grab the lead, but the team earned another service error. Meghan Meyer and Lizzie stark both had kills assisted by Van Remortel. The 'Cats still had the lead 18-13.
The 'Cats were now at set point, and the Lakers served up an error. NMU won the set 25-17.
SET THREE
Lake Superior State opened up the third set posting two points on the board. A kill by Gruner put the 'Cats in the game.
The Lakers retaliated and went on to carry the lead to 1-6. The 'Cats took a quick timeout to regain their momentum, Lizzy Stark returned to the court and instantly threw down a kill. Northern showed no remorse as their starting lineup, Thompson, Stark, Meyer, and Smith all hit picture-perfect kills to tie the score up at 10-10.
Lake State was in such shambles they had to take a timeout following the Wildcat comeback.
Jacqueline Smith then went on to smash down two kills back to back, gaining a Wildcat lead. Tensions continued to rise as the two teams exchanged points till the 20-20 mark.
As the Lakers took a small lead of 23-21, Lauren Van Remortel pushed a sneaky one over the net to bring the 'Cats within one.
The Lakers were able to scrape by and take the set 25-23.
SET FOUR
The fourth set started with a kill from Jacqueline Smith, with help from Lauren Van Remortel. Almost immediately after Jacqueline Smith added another kill to give the Wildcats a lead 3-0 in the first set.
The Wildcats went on a run with Lizzy Stark adding two kills to extend the Wildcat lead to 7-1.
The Lakers went on a run of their own, bringing the set closer with a score of 9-5.
The Wildcats then scored three points in a row, a kill by Lizzy Stark, a kill by Meghan Meyer, and a service error by the Lakers. The Wildcats were now up 12-5 in the set.
The 'Cats and Lakers went back and forth through the middle of set four. To score the 18th point for the 'Cats was Lauren Van Remortel off of an ace. The team widened the lead 18-9.
With many stunning plays from the 'Cats, it was now set point at a score of 24-16. A kill by Gruner tied the match up 2-2.
SET FIVE
The Lakers opened up the fifth set with an attack error. Jacqueline Smith brought the score to 2-0 with a well-placed kill.
The beginning of this set was going at a lightning pace as Gruner found an empty spot on the court. The score was now 3-1.
The 'Cats lost the ball, but the Lakers could not get it over the net. Lake Superior State went on a quick rally to earn two. Ania Hyatt had other plans and killed the ball to widen the lead to 7-4.
The eighth point went to the 'Cats, and the teams switched sides.
The 'Cats went on a four-point streak. The score was 13-7 and LSSU called a timeout.
Jacqueline Smith killed the ball, and it was now a match point. Wildcats win 15-8.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Jacqueline Smith tallied 20 kills on back-to-back nights.
Lizzy Stark followed close behind with 18 total kills.
Alli Yacko dominated the back row, picking up 23 digs.
UP NEXT
The 'Cats will be back in the Vandament again on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. They will face the Wayne State Warriors.
