HAMMOND, Ind. – The Northern Michigan volleyball team extended its winning streak to six on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Purdue Northwest Pride in four sets, 26-24, 25-18, 21-25, and 25-23.

NMU squeaked out a thrilling opening-set win before cruising through the second to take a 2-0 match lead. The Wildcats had a chance to complete the sweep, leading 20-18 in the third, but PNW closed strong with seven of the final eight points. Northern didn't let that loss deter them, bouncing back with a gritty, back-and-forth victory in the fourth to seal the match.

The Wildcats tallied 61 kills on a .267 attack percentage, led by McKenzie Gruner and Kaylie McIntosh with 14 apiece. Madison York followed with 13, while Emilia Gulock added 10. All four came through in key moments, each posting at least four kills in at least one set. Kaysie Bakke chipped in eight kills, including a pair that sealed sets for Northern. Allie Barlow efficiently directed the offense with 47 assists.

"I am proud of us for pushing through some tight moments," Bakke said following the match. "We didn't let up or let a few plays affect us. I thought our offense was well-balanced and everyone was putting balls away. We made a lot of scrappy plays on defense too. I am excited to be back at the Midwest Crossover next weekend."

Gruner and Gulock were dominant at the net as well, each recording four blocks. Liesl Haugen followed her career-best 38 digs on Thursday with another strong showing, totaling 22 in the win.

With the victory, the Wildcats improve to 7-9 overall and 5-2 in GLIAC play, while the Pride drop to 6-7 overall and 3-4 in the conference. 


How it Happened
The opening set was as tight as it gets, with neither team leading by more than two points until back-to-back aces from the Pride created a 22-19 advantage. NMU responded with a quick pair to pull within one, but PNW countered to reach set point at 24-21.

With their backs against the wall, the Wildcats didn't flinch, rattling off five straight points, including four kills, to steal the set 26-24. Northern tallied 14 kills while hitting .163 to overcome the Pride's seven aces.

It didn't take long for a team to grab some separation in the second frame, as the Pride jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Northern quickly evened the set by working through the middle, with McKenzie Gruner recording four kills in a six-point stretch to tie it at 6-6. The momentum then immediately shifted to Kaylie McIntosh, who delivered four straight kills to put NMU on top 11-7, triggering a PNW timeout. 

The kills kept coming for the Green and Gold, as Emilia Gulock added two and McIntosh notched her sixth of the set to make it 14-8, with 13 of NMU's 14 points coming via kills.

The Wildcats only had two of their next eight points coming from kills, but one of those came from McIntosh and forced a final timeout from the Pride as NMU led 22-17. Northern closed it out in style, taking the set 25-18 to grab a 2-0 match lead. The 'Cats hit .375 in the frame, paced by seven kills from McIntosh.

Gruner carried her early-set dominance into the third, tallying five kills to help Northern build a 13-9 lead as the set reached its midpoint.

The Pride responded with a strong push to even the score at 14-14, but back-to-back kills from McIntosh and Madison York briefly halted their momentum. Purdue Northwest stayed persistent, reclaiming the lead at 18-17 and prompting an NMU timeout.

Out of the break, York delivered another timely kill to even things once more, but the Pride held strong down the stretch, closing with seven of the final eight points to take the set 25-21 and extend the match to a fourth.

Purdue Northwest carried its momentum into the fourth set, jumping out to a 7-3 advantage. The Wildcats steadily chipped away at the deficit and eventually pulled even at 13-13, but the next three points went to the Pride, leading to an NMU timeout.

Northern again found its rhythm late, drawing even at 20-all before Gulock came through in the clutch with three kills down the stretch, and Kaysie Bakke added the final kill, sealing the set 25-23 and the 3-1 match victory.


Up Next
The Wildcats will return to Hammond next weekend for the Midwest Region Crossover, taking place on Friday and Saturday, October 17-18. NMU's opponents will be announced early this coming week.