MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Volleyball team completed their final regular season home game on Saturday, November 4 against the Wayne State University Warriors. In an emotional four-set match, the Wildcats secured the win despite falling short in set two. Northern won 25-20, 25-20, and 29-27 in the send-off game of four NMU senior students. 

Jaqueline Smith led the way in Wildcat kills with 17, including the final kill of the match, followed by Meghan Meyer with 16 and Evynn Layshock with 12. None of which could be completed without the expert sets of Lauren Van Remortel, who assisted on 52 plays. 

The Wildcats now improve to 11-16 overall and 8-8 in GLIAC play. The Warriors drop to 10-17 overall and 5-11 in GLIAC play.

Set One
The Wildcats took an early lead in set one with Angelina Negron opening up the floodgates for the team with a line drive kill. Both teams were showing off their best work, demanding to secure each rally. Outside hitter Evynn Layshock was persistent in taking a point off of a cross-court kill, 'Cats led 5-4. 

Both teams struggled to get an edge over their opponent, with multiple attack errors and service aces combined for a constant exchange of points. Jacqueline Smith stepped up to the front row to hit two Wildcat kills that could not be recovered, extending the lead to 10-8. 

Once the 'Cats took a two-point lead, they were unstoppable, continuing to extend their lead off of Lauren Van Remortel's successful serves and a couple of faults from the Warriors. A long rally broke out at the midway point of set one, ultimately ending in a powerful kill from middle hitter Angelina Negron, 'Cats led 15-10. 

As the ball rallied back and forth in favor of the 'Cats, Jacqueline Smith and Evynn Layshock repeatedly sent perfectly placed kills into Warrior court, bringing the score within two points of a Wildcat set win, 23-20. Angelina Negron was next up to serve, producing two service aces and helping the 'Cats win the set 25-20. 

Set Two 
A line drive kill from Jacqueline Smith gave the 'Cats another early lead at 2-1. Northern was quick to continue advancing their lead as Liesl Haugen sent over two service aces. There wasn't much the Warriors could do when the Wildcats went on a run, as a sneaky set to freshman Helen Beiring caught the Warriors by surprise. 

Wayne State wasn't ready to give up yet, hitting multiple kills that the Wildcats struggled to return. Olivia Webber subbed in to assist the front row, when a long rally broke up, Webber was able to close it out with a deep kill teetering on the outside line, and the Wildcats held the lead 11-8. 

Following the long rally, the Warriors went on to take the next three points, tying up the score. The teams both kicked it into gear, exchanging kills for the next six points. This led Wayne State to take their second timeout of the set. 

The Wildcats still held a slight lead of 17-14, Evynn Layshock added the extra edge with a massive kill causing a Warrior to fall to her knees. But the Warriors switched the momentum, securing seven of the next ten points. Northern called a timeout when the Warriors took the lead 21-20. After the timeout, the Warriors kept the game in their favor despite a kill from Jaqueline Smith. The Warriors took set two 25-21. 

Set Three
The Wildcats came out swinging in set three, going up 4-1 with the help of Lauren Van Remortel who served three in a row, all leading the Wildcat points. Things were looking good for the 'Cats when Jacqueline Smith also headed to the serving line, taking an ace. 

Wayne State then came out of left field, absolutely dominating play, taking nearly six points in a row, bringing the score to 9-7 for the Warriors. Northern took a timeout to regroup. 

The run for the Warriors continued into the midway point of the set, but Lauren Van Remortel still found a way to set up the big hitters Evynn Layshock and Jaqueline Smith. 

Down by a handful, Northern had to make big moves to catch up. McKenzie Gruner rotated in for the Wildcats, completing a kill. The Warriors led 18-14; but as the serve went to the Wildcats, Liesl Haugen went for the two-peat on service aces, taking three straight and leading the Wildcats to an 18-18 tie. 

The energy was once again controlled by the 'Cats. Meghan Meyer stepped up to the net to solo block a huge kill from the Warriors' most successful hitter, and the whole arena was on their feet. With the win in mind, Northern dominated the court and held a lead of 20-18. There was no stopping Layshock and Meyer in their pursuit, combining a total of 5 kills in the final five points, and the Wildcats took set three 25-20. 

Set Four
The opening portion of set four consisted of several very long rallies with both teams taking advantage. Helen Beiring and Angelina Negron each produced a kill in the early moments, helping the 'Cats keep a lead. Negron also did what she does best, completing a service ace. 

With the Wildcats in the lead, the Warriors called for a timeout at 6-2. Once returning to the court, Meghan Meyer took a running start to hit a big kill. But the timeout motivated the Warriors enough to take the following three points. 

Northern turned right around and took the next three, keeping them ahead on the scoreboard. Evynn Layshock and Meghan Meyer stood their ground and smashed down into Wayne State court, keeping the lead 11-6. 

Wayne State had a couple of strong hitters in their front row, causing the 'Cats to play a defensive game, Caylie Barlage ran around all four corners of the court to keep the ball in play, but the Warriors continued to put points up. 

The Warriors held a one-point lead of 16-15 after NMU took their timeout. With still lots of game to play, expert passing from the Wildcats back row was needed. Northerns' back row showed no issues helping set up Meghan Meyer for two kills. 

When the score hit 19-19, tensions rose and play began to move quickly. Lisel Haugen took another service ace and Jaqueline Smith another one of her classic unrecoverable kills, Northern went up by two. 

The entire Vandament Arena was on their feet as both teams exchanged points all the way to the 25-25 mark, with a need to win by two, the 'Cats had hit match point multiple times, and the Warriors would turn right around and shut them down. On multiple occasions, Jacqueline Smith hit the kills to set up a win, but it wasn't until the 28-27 mark that the Warriors could not return Smith's cross-court kill. 

Northern secured the win 29-27.

Up Next
The Wildcats will travel next weekend for their final two regular season matches of the year. On Friday, November 10, Northern will take on one of their Upper Peninsula rivals, Lake Superior State University at 6:00 p.m. Then, on Saturday, November 11 at 5:00 p.m. the 'Cats face Ferris State University.