ALLENDALE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Volleyball team traveled downstate for their second last road trip of the season. The team took the court against Grand Valley State University and fell short in three tight sets to the 2nd place GLIAC team. Scores were 25-22, 25-20, and an overtime set of 28-26. 

Jacqueline Smith led everyone in kills with 17 on 49 attempts, along with two aces, two total blocks, and four digs. Evynn Layshock was next with eight kills, and Meghan Meyer recorded six. Setter Allie Barlow paced everyone in the assist category with 30, along with one ace. 

Though the 'Cats recorded more attacks (126-118), the Lakers owned the better hitting percentage (0.220 to 0.087), kills (46-36), and total points (78-68).

The Wildcats now move to 8-15 overall and 5-7 in conference play, and the Lakers improve to 18-3 overall and 10-2 in conference play.

Set One 
Grand Valley started the match out with two well-placed serves and two kills that the Wildcats couldn't return. But freshman setter Allie Barlow was persistent in setting up the front row for success. Rayne Thompson and Meghan Meyer pounded down into the Laker court, getting the 'Cats within reach, 5-4. 

The score remained tight for many points, going back and forth and returning the ball. With a couple of big hitters on the Lakers, the front row for the 'Cats was strong, Meghan Meyer shut down the Lakers with her brick wall blocking, holding a one-point lead 7-6. 

Despite the Wildcat lead, Grand Valley took five points in a row, taking advantage of any open space on the Northern court. Midway through the set, the Lakers led 13-9. McKenize Gruner and Ania Hyatt stepped up to the net, sending some well-placed kills into the Laker court. 

The Wildcats consistently remained within 2-3 points of the Lakers, extending until the score reached 19-16 Lakers. Jacqueline Smith and McKenzie Gruner blocked a huge return from Grand Valley, fending off the Lakers. 

Grand Valley took a late timeout at 21-17, which served great benefit for the Wildcats, consistently digging, blocking, and serving well, trying to get within reach of the win. But the Lakers were able to close out the set 25-22 with an unrecoverable kill.  

Set Two 
The set began with each team exchanging points until the 3-3 mark. Following a consistent opening, the Lakers went on a four-point run to extend its lead. 

Jacqueline Smith then came out swinging, dropping two kills, bringing the score to 8-5 for the Lakers. Evynn Layshock followed suit and did the same thing as Smith, sending three kills deep into the back row. Northern still sat just short, 11-9. 

As the score hit 15-11, Jacqueline Smith hit a ball that perfectly ricocheted off the fingers of the Lakers, closing the scoring gap one point at a time. Smith then opened up the floodgates for Allie Barlow to serve an absolute stinger over the net, with no site of return from the Lakers. 

Both teams had their moments of weakness, but also moments of success, taking three point streaks each. Veteran players Evynn Layshock and Jacquline Smith squeezed in a couple extra kills to keep the Lakers on their toes 20-16. 

Grand Valley managed to scrape out the set win, 25-20. 

Set Three
The Wildcats began the third set a bit differently, taking an early lead over the Lakers. Meghan Meyer slammed a cross-court kill which took the Lakers by surprise. The momentum continued as Angelina Negron partnered with outside hitter Jacqueline Smith to block one of Grand Valley's powerful kills. The 'Cats led 5-2. 

The Lakers unfortunately caught up 5-5. But a quick short set to Angelina Negron took the Lakers by surprise, taking the lead once again. 

Grand Valley took the next four points, and the 'Cats called a timeout and were able to regroup and reroute their plan of attack. Once stepping back on the court, Evynn Layshock asserted dominance with two kills, coming within two points of the Lakers 11-9. 

The Wildcats saw a switch in control following back-to-back blocks from Angelina Negron, Helen Beiring and Jacqueline Smith, the Northern bench went wild. 

Tensions on the court were high as each time looked for opportunities to take a point. But the Lakers persistently held a lead. The score hit 22-19 in favor of Grand Valley and they ran away with it until match point. But the Wildcats were not ready to give up yet, taking four points in a row, two coming from Meghan Meyer's expert cross-court kills. 

The set was tied 25-25, requiring extra time to crown a set winner. Northern took the first point with the help of Allie Barlow and Jacqueline Smith. The Wildcats initially took set point, but after review, the point went to the Lakers, tying it up once again. The Lakers ended up taking the final two points despite the Wildcats controlling the set. 

Grand Valley would go on to win the final set by a score of 28-26. 

Up Next
Northern returns to the court tomorrow, Saturday, October 28 for an afternoon game at 4 p.m. The 'Cats will face Davenport for their second and final regular season matchup of the season.