MARQUETTE, Mich. - After playing 17 of its first 19 matches on the road, the Northern Michigan volleyball team returns home for a much-anticipated stretch, hosting seven of its final nine regular-season contests at Vandament Arena.

The Wildcats open the homestand against Grand Valley State on Friday, October 24, at 4 p.m., before welcoming Wayne State on Saturday, October 25, at 3 p.m.

Northern enters the weekend at 7-11 overall and 5-2 in the GLIAC, coming off a 1-2 showing at last weekend's Midwest Region Crossover. Grand Valley State (12-5, 7-1) also went 1-2 at the event, while Wayne State (14-4, 6-2) posted a 2-1 record.

The matches can be watched on FloCollege, or listened to live on 94.1 The Breeze, with Brice Burge on the call. 


Follow the Action
Stay connected with @NMU_Wildcats and @NMU_Volleyball on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) for updates throughout the weekend.

Friday, Oct. 24 - vs. Grand Valley State - 4 p.m.
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Saturday, Oct. 25 - vs. Wayne State - 3 p.m.
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From the Coach
"The Crossover tournament was a really good measuring stick to see where we are at. Now we have two really tough opponents coming up who are ahead of us in the standings." 



About the Wildcats
The Wildcats went 1-2 at last weekend's Crossover, falling in straight sets to Findlay and Quincy before bouncing back with a sweep of Ashland.

Leading the charge defensively is libero Liesl Haugen, who has been named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week two times this season. Against Michigan Tech on October 9, she recorded 38 digs, the most by any GLIAC player this season and the second-most in NMU history. Since returning to the lineup on September 26, Haugen ranks second in the GLIAC with 5.0 digs per set in conference play.

On offense, McKenzie Gruner has posted double-digit kills in 10 matches this season and leads the GLIAC in hitting percentage (.385) through conference play, while ranking ninth with 88 kills. Freshman Kaylie McIntosh has emerged as a key contributor, averaging 11.9 kills per match over the last seven outings, highlighted by a 19-kill, two-error performance against Michigan Tech. She also ranks second in the GLIAC in service aces per set (0.5).

At setter, Allie Barlow has been among the league's best, averaging 9.88 assists per set. Her balanced distribution has led to six Wildcats recording multiple double-digit kill performances this season.


Scouting the Opponents
Grand Valley State Lakers
Grand Valley enters tied for first in the GLIAC (7-1) and boasts one of the most efficient offenses in Division II, ranking 16th nationally in hitting percentage (.262) and 45th in kills per set (13.4). The Lakers also lead the conference in blocks (2.3 per set), led by Brianna Stawski, who tops the GLIAC with 1.2 blocks per set and a .384 hitting percentage. Stawski (168 kills) and Meghan O'Sullivan (176) form a dynamic front-line duo.

Wayne State Warriors
Wayne State sits just ahead of NMU in the standings at 6-2 and ranks among the national leaders in offensive efficiency, standing 18th in assists per set (13.9) and 25th in kills per set (13.8). The Warriors also boast one of the GLIAC's top defenses, allowing just 11.2 kills per set and a .148 opponent hitting percentage. Kayla Duglar leads the league and ranks 13th nationally in assists (10.7 per set), while Kayla Giroux is second in both total kills (246) and hitting percentage (.377) in the conference.