MARQUETTE, Mich. – After a weekend at the Midwest Region Crossover in Indiana, the Northern Michigan volleyball team returns home to open a four-match homestand with six matches remaining in the regular season.

The Wildcats (10-11, 6-4 GLIAC) will welcome the nation's top-ranked team, the undefeated Ferris State Bulldogs (21-0, 10-0 GLIAC), on Friday, October 23, at 6 p.m. before hosting the Purdue Northwest Lions (5-15, 2-8 GLIAC) on Saturday at 4 p.m.

With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, the Green and Gold are firmly in the race for home-court advantage in the GLIAC Quarterfinals. NMU sits tied for third in the conference standings, with just one game separating the teams ranked third through seventh.


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


A Word From Mike Lozier
"To be successful, we're really going to have to play clean volleyball. We are going to have to get players to step up. Two very different styles and two different levels, but they'll both require us to show up and play well."



Last Time Out
Northern went 1-2 at the Midwest Region Crossover in Hammond, Indiana, opening the weekend with a four-set win over Lewis before dropping matches to Ohio Dominican and Findlay.

The Wildcats defeated Lewis 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-20, 25-20) to begin the tournament, with Kaylie McIntosh leading the way with 12 kills. NMU then fell to Ohio Dominican in four sets (25-18, 13-25, 20-25, 9-25), despite another 12-kill performance from McIntosh. Anna O'Keefe totaled 20 kills across the two matches, while Laynie Russell added 19. Allie Barlow recorded 79 assists, and Lauren Cardwell led the Wildcats with 25 digs in her first action at libero.

NMU closed the weekend with a 3-1 loss to Findlay the following day. After taking the opening set 25-20, the Wildcats dropped the next two before Findlay secured the match with a narrow 25-23 fourth-set win. KC Fortune led Northern with 12 kills, 11 digs, and three aces, while McIntosh and Russell each added 10 kills. Barlow finished with 36 assists.


About the 'Cats
Senior setter Allie Barlow leads the NMU offense and was named the GLIAC Setter of the Week twice this season. Barlow has 798 assists this season and averages 9.98 assists per set, both ranking third in the GLIAC. She has also been one of the best in the conference at the service line, ranking second in aces (39) and aces per set (0.49). Her seven aces at Lake Superior State on October 3 are also a high point among all league matches. She surpassed 3,000 career assists earlier this season, becoming just the eighth player in program history to reach the milestone.

Kaylie McIntosh leads the Wildcats with 254 kills this season, ranking fifth in the GLIAC. McIntosh has been one of the conference's most productive attackers throughout the season, including a career-high 28-kill performance against Michigan Tech. 

NMU has also seen significant offensive production from a pair of freshmen. Anna O'Keefe is second on the team with 199 kills, reaching double figures in over half of her matches, including a season-high 20 kills in her debut against Winona State. Laynie Russell isn't far behind with 175 kills along with a team-high 49 blocks and .304 attack percentage. 

Senior libero Liesl Haugen has been a standout presence in the Wildcats' back row throughout the season. She surpassed 1,500 career digs earlier this season, becoming just the fourth player in program history to reach the milestone.


A Look at Ferris State
The Bulldogs enter as the nation's top team, sweeping 18 of 21 opponents and winning 63 of 68 sets they've played. Nationally, they are second in attack percentage (.319) and kills per set (14.6), while also ranking 11th in assists per set (13.10). In the GLIAC, they also rank first in opponent assists (8.91), opponent kills (10.22), opponent blocks (1.03), and opponent service aces (1.06). 

Leading the way is junior outside hitter Gabby Piazza. Already a four-time GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week, Piazza is second nationally in kills per set (4.48) and points per set (5.15). Setter Hayley Wegener is also among the best at her position, ranking sixth across Division II in assists per set (10.91). 

The Bulldogs went 27-8 last season and advanced to the Division II Elite Eight for the second straight season. They fell in five sets to No. 1 Tampa last season. Ferris is coached by Tia Brandel-Wilhelm, who is in her 31st season and the fifth-winningest coach among active NCAA Division II coaches.


A Look at Purdue Northwest
The Lions started GLIAC play before most recently sweeping Lake Superior State along with a five-set upset victory over Michigan Tech. The Wildcats and Lions opened GLIAC play back on Sept. 11, a 3-1 win for NMU.

Senior Anika Huelskamp leads the team with 185 kills, reaching at least 15 in four straight matches. Katrina Soto (131) is second on the team and has reached double digits in three of her past four. 

Defensively, De'sheonna Foster (1.00 blocks per set) and Kennedy Rowzee (0.84) both rank inside the top five in the GLIAC in blocks. As a team, PNW is third in the conference (1.84).