NMU Volleyball loses first match of season
Courtesy of NMU Athletics
DULUTH, Minn. – In a matchup of two undefeated teams, the Northern Michigan University volleyball was defeated 3-0 by, the sixth-ranked team in the nation, the University of Minnesota Duluth on Tuesday (Sept. 4) evening from Romano Gymnasium. The Bulldogs won 25-21, 25-14, 25-21.
The first set (25-21) was tight throughout before the Bulldogs scored five of the last six points to take the 1-0 lead. Juniors Kalli Herron led the Wildcats in the first set with four kills while junior Sarah Hamilton had three. Freshman Lisa Studnicka had five digs to lead the defense.
UMD (5-0) led from the beginning in the second set (25-14), never allowing Northern to get close. Senior Andree Ring had three kills.
Northern (4-1) fought back in the final set to within one (20-19) but UMD held on for the sweep 25-21. Studnicka kept the ‘Cats hopes alive in the third with six kills.
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division player of the week, junior setter Kellisha Harley, setup the NMU offense with 25 assists. She also contributed with seven digs.
Studnicka and Herron finished with seven kills each while Hamilton had six. Senior Kalin Zimmerman and freshman Alex Berger each had nine digs, defensively. NMU had six blocks with Hamilton leading the way with three while Herron and Studnicka had two.
The ‘Cats travel to Missouri for the Missouri S&T Middle of Everywhere Classic this weekend. The four-game schedule consists of Emporia State and Missouri S&T on Friday (Sept. 7) and Southern Indiana and Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday (Sept. 8).