MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Women's Volleyball team returned to the Vandament Arena for its second game of the day against Concordia University St. Paul. This was the Wildcats third game of the UP Open and the tournament will continue into Saturday, Sept 2. Down their top hitter in
Jacqueline Smith, the Wildcats battled the No. 2 team in the country tough, but fell 23-25, 12-25, 25-27.
FIRST SET
The Wildcats came out swinging in the opening plays of the game. Freshman
Liesl Haugen dove to save a nearly impossible return hit from the Golden Bears, which set up
Evynn Layshock for a massive kill to go up 2-0.
But the Golden Bears were able to fight back and even up the score at 4-4.
Tensions rose as Concordia St. Paul grabbed the lead from the 'Cats, and the Wildcats took a quick timeout to regroup.
Olivia Webber stepped up to the net for a kill and the crowd went wild, tightening the gap to 11-8.
Lauren Van Remortel was a key component in getting the 'Cats back into the game, giving each of her teammates the perfect set no matter where she was. Both teams rallied back-and-forth for several points, spitting the battles fairly evenly.
Communication was at its best throughout the second half of the set, as
Rayne Thompson and
Evynn Layshock pounded the ball into the Golden Bear court with ease, putting the score at 18-16 Concordia St. Paul.
The Golden Bears showed no sign of letting up, taking the last three points of the set to win it tightly, 25-23.
SECOND SET
Concordia St. Paul came out flying in the second set, giving Northern no chance at early success, with nine of the first ten points.
Meghan Meyer and
Evynn Layshock were able to get a couple solid kills on the board, which helped the team build momentum. Concordia St. Paul continued to smash down into the Northern court, but once
Julia Bouma was up to serve, she helped the 'Cats gain three unanswered points bringing the score to 17-10.
Northern pushed through the challenge and snuck a few more points in on the Golden Bears, but the Golden Bears took the set with relative ease 25-12.
THIRD SET
The Golden Bears were on their toes once again for the opening portion of the set, but the relentless 'Cats worked effortlessly to put points on the board.
Rayne Thompson and
Evynn Layshock started smashing down kills like it was their day job, raising the crowd to their feet. The energy in the arena helped the Wildcats move within five points of the Golden Bears, 10-5.
Northern began putting up points no problem once they saw the opportunity. Freshman
Sydney Bartels hit her first kill of her career aided by veteran
Angelina Negron as the pair led the comeback charge. After successful service aces from a variety of Wildcats, they were now within three points of the Golden Bears, 17-15.
The atmosphere of the arena quickly switched in Northerns favor, the Golden Bears struggled to maintain their first set skill level. The 'Cats took their first lead of the set at 20-19.
The first row of
Sydney Bartels,
Rayne Thompson and
Angelina Negron seemed unstoppable in the final moments of the set, with all three slamming down huge hits. As the 'Cats hit match point, the whole building was on their feet. But Concordia St. Paul was able to bounce back and take the set 27-25 and win the match 3-0.
STAT LEADERS
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to the court for their fourth and final game of the UP Open tomorrow Saturday, September 1 at 7 p.m. Make your way to the Vandament Arena for the closing game of the tournament to cheer on the 'Cats!
