MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University Volleyball team returns to their home court for a Friday night match against the Wayne State University Warriors. An electric match between the two teams ended in a five-set win for the Warriors.
FIRST SET
The 'Cats started the game off slow as the Warriors were able to take the first three points of the game. But the always steady Lauren Van Remortel and Jacqueline Smith duo knew they had something to say about that. Smith smashed down the first kill for the Wildcats.
The entire Northern team put in a shift to get the 'Cats back into the game. As Lizzy Stark was able to show off her superiority by hammering two quick kills. The rotation on the court had Caylie Barlage set up to serve the tieing point, she succeeded with ease, 9-9.
There was no doubt that the 'Cats were able to capitalize on the Warrior faults. Lizzy Stark was an absolute powerhouse for the Wildcats as she threw down another set of back-to-back kills, giving the 'Cats the lead 19-16.
Caylie Barlage again added three points for the Wildcats with her perfectly placed serves, and the team was quickly approaching a set win. Smith was able to close out the set with a top-tier kill to take the set for the 'Cats 25-17.
SECOND SET
The two teams opened up the second set with a few casual point exchanges, the teams squared up at 3-3. The Warriors hold a couple of big hitters on their team, making the intensity that much higher for the 'Cats as they looked to dig from anywhere and everywhere.
Jacqueline Smith was able to keep the Wildcats alive with a series of kills that were unattainable for the Warriors, bringing the score to 9-9 once again.
The 'Cats obtained a few more points off of the jittery Warriors, keeping the score tight in the remaining plays. The score was matched to 19-19, and this caused a Warrior timeout.
Wayne State was able to secure the set despite elite efforts by the 'Cats, 25-21.
THIRD SET
Although the Warriors were able to produce some big points early on in the set, McKenzie Gruner was able to make her mark with a nonrecoverable kill. The momentum continued to build as Lizzy Stark went on another run, throwing down two big kills, making the score 8-5 'Cats.
The Warriors were shaking in their boots as the lead expanded for the Wildcats, Meghan Meyer and Ania Hyatt did their part hitting down a couple of nice spikes, and leading by a whopping 14-7. Wayne State called another time out, unsure if they would be able to recover from a dominating Wildcat team.
Alli Yacko was everything the 'Cats needed to hold the lead, scooping up all of the back-row deliveries from the Warriors. The Wildcats shut down the Warriors with zero hesitation and took the match point trouble-free 25-18.
SET FOUR
The Warriors took the opening point of the set once again but the 'Cats always have something to say about that. The score was all square at 5-5.
As tensions rose in the Vandament, both teams ground every play they could. Expert hitters Meghan Meyer and Jacqueline Smith contributed greatly to keeping the 'Cats involved, tying up the scoreboard at 14-14.
Wayne State was able to tally three unanswered points as the teams got down to the wire. The Wildcats called a timeout looking to regroup on the court, Stark and Smith each came out flying, tightening the score to 19-18 in favor of the Warriors.
Meghan Meyer stepped up to the net to absolutely smashing one on a 90-degree angle just leaving the Warriors out to dry, and putting the 'Cats up 22-21.
The Warriors were able to scrape out a set win 25-23.
SET FIVE
A Shortened fifth set meant nothing but tunnel vision for the 'Cats, as the Warriors opened the serving and took the first point. The teams exchanged points until the 3-3 mark.
Jacqueline Smith opened up the floodgates onto the Warriors' court, pounding down three big ones to put the 'Cats up 7-3. Lizzy Stark went up to hit another spike, the entire Vandament went silent as she wound up to hit the ball, you could even hear a pin drop.
Wayne State was able to work its way back into the game as the crowd sat on the edge of their seats, the Wildcats were still up 11-10.
Both teams continued to perform tremendously in the closing plays, as the score hit 15-15, extra points were needed. Wayne State was able to secure the last few points and take the set and match win 17-15.
STAT LEADERS
Both Jacqueline Smith and Lizzy Stark hit the 20-kill mark, Smith tallied 22 and Stark racked up 20.
Meghan Meyer also contributed a solid 11 kills.
Elite setter Lauren Van Remortel assisted on 54 total kills.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return tomorrow, Saturday, Oct 8 at 4 p.m. against the Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals for their first meeting of the season. Join us in the Vandament Arena tomorrow and let's get loud 'Cats!
