MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan volleyball team (7-3, 3-0) began its weekend of home play with a 3-1 win over Davenport, 25-10, 25-6, 22-25, and 25-17, for its fourth consecutive victory and third straight to open league play. 

The Wildcats dominated the first two sets, limiting the Panthers to 10 and six points in each set respectively. The 25-6 win in set two was the biggest set win during Mike Lozier's NMU tenure, and the tied for the biggest individual set win in the last 12 years (25-5 set vs. Lake Superior State in 2012). 

The Panthers bounced back in the third to steal a set win, but the Wildcats quickly got back behind their home crowd and put the match away in set four, 25-17. 

Julia Bouma notched a career-high six service aces, accounting for half of Northern's season-high of 12. Jacqueline Smith led the attack with 19 kills, Allie Barlow added 36 assists and a career-high seven kills, and Liesl Haugen led the way defensively with 20 digs. 

"Tonight's match was so much fun," said Haugen. "We fought hard, played together and executed our offense and defense. We are excited for tomorrow's match!"

Northern hit .293, its second-best mark of the season, while holding Davenport to an opponent season-low .053 clip.


Set One
Play opened in favor of the 'Cats with a kill from McKenzie Gruner, accompanied by one from Smith as well. The strong start from NMU propelled them to an early lead over Davenport with a 7-2 score before a DU timeout. 

Out of the timeout, NMU remained strong on its attack, tacking on seven more points, including two kills from Meghan Meyer. NMU scored 16 of the first 20 points and led 16-4.

On the defensive end, the 'Cats were able to keep the Panthers to just 10 points in the set with big contributions from Caylie Barlage and Haugen keeping rallies alive. 

NMU wrapped the set up off of a Panther service error, setting the final score to 25-10. The Wildcats hit .423 in the frame. 

Set Two
NMU began its second set carrying over the momentum from the first set with a service ace from Barlow and kills from Helen Beiring and Smith. 

NMU again led 6-1 early on to trigger a Davenport timeout.

Helen Beiring and Kaysie Bakke got in on the fun, each adding kills and a block.

Off a serve from Bouma, Smith was able to tally another kill for NMU. The Wildcats continued to add to the 15+ point lead via attacking errors from Davenport, and two kills from Gruner.

The lead ballooned all the way to 19-4, and the set was wrapped up by a kill from senior Smith. This locked in set two's final score at a dominating 25-6. 

Set Three
Smith recorded the opening point of the set with a kill, set by Barlow. The Panthers answered this early attack from the 'Cats, with six quick points for their first lead of the night. NMU elected to take a timeout to curve DU's run.

Out of the timeout, Smith and Beiring added kills to the score in an effort to restart the Wildcat offense, as they worked to climb out of the deficit. 

Davenport was able to maintain its lead, getting the score to 12-6 before NMU began to turn the momentum back to its side. Crucial points from Bakke accompanied by a dual set of kills from Smith got the 'Cats back within two points (12-10). 

After multiple attacking errors from the Panthers, and persistent defensive efforts from NMU, the Wildcats were able to regain the lead past the halfway point. 

DU was not going down without a fight, and were determined to keep the set interesting, setting the score even, late in the set (20-20).

The Panthers would steal set three, ending via two attacking errors from the 'Cats and a service ace of their own (25-22). 

Set Four
Set four opened with an exchange of points between the two teams, followed by a kill from Smith as well as one from Gruner. 

The teams continued to trade point-for-point, with big contributions from Barlow. Smith also put up points for the 'Cats in the form of three kills and a service ace (10-9).

NMU began to pull away after multiple attacking errors on the DU side of the ball. This shift in energy, in favor of the 'Cats, led to a timeout from Davenport. NMU was ahead 16-9.

The Wildcats continued on its attacking force with a quick five points out of the timeout with Bakke tacking on a pair of kills.

Bouma was able to further the Wildcat lead with three consecutive service aces, setting the score to 22-12. 

The match was put away on a Smith kill.

Up Next
The Wildcats will face off against No. 7 and undefeated Ferris State University in Vandament Arena on Saturday, September 27 at 3:30 p.m.