MARQUETTE, Mich. – With four matches remaining in the regular season, the Northern Michigan volleyball team returns home for a pivotal GLIAC weekend.
At 8-4 in the GLIAC, Northern sits in fourth place, two games behind league-leading Ferris State (10-2) but just two games ahead of eighth-place Michigan Tech. With the standings so congested, every match will be critical as the Wildcats push to secure a home quarterfinal match.
The weekend opens with a matchup against Ferris State on Friday, Nov. 7, at 4 p.m., followed by a tilt with Davenport on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m.
The Wildcats opened GLIAC play in mid-September with two sweeps at the hands of the Bulldogs and Panthers. Now back in Vandament Arena, the Green and Gold will look to avenge those early-season losses.
Both matches will stream on FloCollege. Friday's match will be on the airwaves of 100.3 The Point while Saturday will be 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, Nov. 7 – vs. Ferris State – 4 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 8 – vs. Davenport – 3 p.m.
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From the Coach
"These matches are important if we want to play one more in Vandament Arena," head coach
Mike Lozier said. "It's amazing to have the last two weekends at home, and it's nice to make these teams come to us."
About the Wildcats
After a five-set classic on Oct. 28 against Michigan Tech that went the Wildcats' way, Northern Michigan split on the road last weekend with a four-set win at Roosevelt, followed by a three-set loss at Parkside.
Senior middle blocker
McKenzie Gruner continues to be one of the top offensive threats in the GLIAC. Her 165 kills and .357 hitting percentage rank third in league play. Gruner posted a 24-kill outing against Michigan Tech on Oct. 28, smashing her career high and tying a GLIAC season high. She also ranks second in total points (194).
The Wildcats are hitting .197 in conference play and .185 overall. Behind Gruner's team-leading 268 kills this season,
Madison York (191),
Kaysie Bakke (164),
Kaylie McIntosh (158), and
Emilia Gulock (134) have all surpassed 130 kills, providing steady support across the front line.
Allie Barlow has been a consistent presence setting the offense, ranking third in the league with 9.94 assists per set in GLIAC matches.
Defensively,
Liesl Haugen has anchored the back row as one of the conference's top liberos. The two-time GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week ranks third in the league with 4.7 digs per set and has recorded 20 or more digs in nine of 19 matches. Her 38-dig effort against Michigan Tech earlier this season stands as the GLIAC's top single-match total and the second-highest in program history.
About Ferris State
The Bulldogs, ranked No. 18 in the AVCA Poll, boast a 19-5 record this season. Ferris is one of the nation's best defensive teams, averaging 18.2 digs per set, good for 16th in Division II. The Bulldogs also rank among the top 50 nationally in hitting percentage (.243), kills per set (13.7), and opponent hitting percentage (.151). Gabby Piazza averages 3.63 kills per set, while Logyn Green (.371) and Emily May (.313) are hitting over .300 in conference play, both top-five marks. Tia Brandel-Wilhelm is in her 30th season as head coach and holds a career record of 807-269.
About Davenport
At 7-5 in GLIAC play, the Panthers are also in the mix for a home postseason match. Averaging 13.2 assists per set, they lead the GLIAC and rank second in kills per set (13.9). Madison Berry is one of only two players in the league averaging more than 10 assists per set (10.2). Hayley Carr leads the GLIAC with 26 aces and ranks second with 4.9 digs per set.
