MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Volleyball team is set to open up the 2022-23 season with four matches at the NMU Open hosted by the Wildcats. 

The 'Cats will face Minnesota-Crookston Thursday at 7 p.m. NMU will play two matches on Friday as they face off against Cedarville at 1 p.m. and Upper Iowa at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Wildcats close the event with a match against Bemidji State at 7 p.m. 

Weekly Notes

Preseason Poll

The Wildcats were selected sixth in the GLIAC preseason poll with 48 points, seven points behind Davenport and 13 points ahead of Saginaw Valley. NMU received one first-place vote in the conference poll.

Key Returners

Jacqueline Smith is back playing for the Wildcats. Smith finished third in the GLIAC and led the team in both kills per set (3.77) and total kills (381). She also led in Total attacks with 1155 and was fourth in hitting percentage with .182% last season.

All-GLIAC earners Lizzy Stark and Meghan Meyer are also back on the NMU roster. Stark and Meyer were second and third on the Wildcats in kills with 298 and 218, kills per set with 3.20 and 2.16, and total attacks with 844 and 508. Meyer led the team in hitting percentage with .281%, and Stark was second in digs with 251.

NMU vs. Minnesota-Crookston

The 'Cats hold a 6-0 record against the Eagles. The Wildcats and Eagles last played in 2019 at the Keweenaw Classic, with NMU winning in five sets.

NMU vs. Cedarville

NMU is 5-2 against Cedarville. The last meeting between the two came last year at the UIndy Invitational, where the Wildcats won the match 3-1.

NMU vs. Upper Iowa

NMU and Upper Iowa have faced one another six times in the past. The Peacocks won the most recent matchup.

NMU vs. Bemidji State

The Wildcats are 5-1 against the Beavers. Their last match was played at the UIndy Invitational last season. NMU won the meeting in three sets.