Marquette, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Volleyball team kicked off it's second straight weekend of home games tonight against University of Wisconsin - Parkside. The 'Cats fell in three sets to the Rangers despite nonstop point returns, 25-18, 25-18, and 25-19.
The Wildcats fall to 4-12 overall and 3-5 in conference play, and the Rangers improve to 10-6 overall with a 5-3 conference mark.
STAT LEADERS
- Jacqueline Smith led the way in kills and total attacks, with 13 kills and 41 attacks.
- Lauren Van Remortel assisted on 30 kills.
- Liesl Haugen and Jacquline Smith both dominated the back row, digging up every ball they could. Haugen had 14 and Smith had 16.
- The Rangers recorded 44 kills to the Wildcats 33, and the 'Cats commited 17 attack errors to the Rangers 11.
- Despite having similar total attacks, the rangers recorded a .284 hitting percentage to the Wildcats .142 mark.
- The Wildcats recorded two service aces, three service errors, and seven reception errors to the Rangers seven aces, five errors, and two reception errors.
SET ONE
Parkside took an early lead in the first set, going 3-0 with no return from the 'Cats. But the Wildcats fought back with two big kills by
Evynn Layshock. This held the Wildcats move within one point of the Rangers who led 4-3.
Both teams showed they were ready to play and dominate, with two very long rallies in a row, each team took a point in the rallies. Parkside carried that momentum onward as they took the next three points on the 'Cats.
Following a Northern timeout,
McKenzie Gruner stepped up to the net, smashing down a hit from the middle, helping close the gap to 10-8. Parkside was able to retaliate, taking the next three points.
The Rangers started to get nervous as
Rayne Thompson pounded down a perfectly placed attack that had the crowd roaring.
Lauren Van Remortel followed up by going out of her way to block an unexpected kill from the Rangers. Parkside then took a timeout, the score sat at 19-16 in favor of the Rangers.
NMU was unable to rally back, despite returning many of Parkside's attempts. Rangers take the first set 25-18.
SET TWO
The teams were tied 2-2, leaving lots of room for Wildcat success, Northern then took three big points in a row by
Evynn Layshock and
Ania Hyatt, giving the Wildcats its first lead of the game.
Parkside proceeded to score four service aces in a row, thereby surpassing the Wildcats on the scoreboard. But the Van Remortel and Smith combo always comes to save the day, as Smith slammed down two kills bringing the score to 13-9 for Parkside.
The Rangers went on a run after seeing
Jacqueline Smith run around the court with ease, extending its lead to 17-11.
Despite ongoing efforts from the 'Cats, the Rangers were able to win the set 25-18.
SET THREE
Different from the first two sets, the teams exchanged points back and forth until the 3-3 mark. In the following rallies,
Meghan Meyer was able to show off her power with a dominating kill.
The score was tight until the midway point, each team was able to take advantage of open space on the court.
Jacqueline Smith did what she does best and helped the 'Cats put a few extra points on the board, bringing the score within one point, 9-8 Parkside.
A strong front row of
Meghan Meyer and
Olivia Webber prevented several Parkside kills by hopping up and forming a brick wall. But Parkside was quick to react to many Wildcat returns, extending its lead to 15-11.
The scoreboard did not affect the Wildcat pace of play, as
Lauren Van Remortel set up
Jacqueline Smith for two powerful kills.
Olivia Webber also strutted her stuff and put down a steller attack. The 'Cats showed relentless efforts to shut down the Rangers, but ultimately ended in a Parkside set win 25-19.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to the Vandament Arena tomorrow, Saturday, October 7 for a 3:30 p.m. game against Purdue University Northwest for their second match up of the season. The 'Cats will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the NCAA Championship win throughout the match, followed by a cake reception open to the public.
