Underclassmen making their mark for NMU

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University volleyball team came into the season with 14 freshman and sophomores on the roster. Through ten games, the Wildcats have a 5-5 record. All five of those wins are all against teams in the GLIAC.

In fact, NMU is currently tied for first place in the GLIAC North Division with Hillsdale. In the Wildcats victory over Michigan Tech on Tuesday, three freshmen– Kayla Chosa, Meghan Seymour, and Madison Whitehead, accounted for 28 of the ‘Cats 60 kills. NMU’s freshman class has made quite the impact early on for head coach Dominic Yoder.

It’s not necessarily surprising that our freshmen have come along so far and so fast,” said Yoder. “I think that every step that we’ve taken has gained valuable experience for their success. Madison Whitehead, Kayla Chosa are doing well offensively at the net for us. Meghan Seymour is doing a really good job for us setting (the ball). Those three kids are true freshmen are really doing a good job and they’re learning how to play at the college level.”

“At first it was a little nerve racking. We were kind of nervous, but now we’ve gotten used to it,” said Chosa. “Our energy and competitiveness just pushes further than what other teams have.”

“Our blocking has definitely improved since we started this season,” said Whitehead. “We just all came together more and kept improving. Coming in and just playing is just different than what we expected, but it’s been a lot of fun.”

NMU is at home tomorrow against Hillsdale at 7 p.m., followed by a Saturday afternoon tilt against Findlay. The Wildcats, Chargers, and Grand Valley State are the only teams in the GLIAC still undefeated in conference play.