NMU Volleyball defeats Hillsdale
Courtesy of NMU Athletics
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University volleyball team defeated Hillsdale College, 3-1 in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup on Friday (Nov. 2) from Vandament Arena. NMU is now 18-10 on the season and 10-5 in the GLIAC, while the Chargers fall to 15-11 and 11-4.
NMU took the first set, 25-14 before Hillsdale would take the second, 25-21. However, the ‘Cats regained its momentum, to win the final two sets, 25-22.
“Tonight was a must win for us, it gives us the opportunity to get ahead on a couple teams and up in the conference standings,” stated head coach Dominic Yoder.
In the first set, it was close between both teams, until NMU went up 14-9. From there, the ‘Cats would go on to score seven straight points and lead the rest of the set. The second set, Hillsdale led from beginning to end. The ‘Cats tied the score twice, but couldn’t get ahead.
In the third, the Chargers scored the first four points, with NMU quickly taking the lead to having a six point margin. Hillsdale was able to tie the set several times. The fourth was a close set from the start, giving NMU the advantage at the end.
“In the first and fourth set we had high energy and were able to control the tempo,” said Yoder. In the second, they controlled us. The third was a battle between both teams.
NMU was led by Lina Lopes with a season-high 17 kills, while Kalli Herron added 13 and Sarah Hamilton with 12. The ‘Cats finished the game with 55 kills for a .312 attack percentage. Kalin Zimmerman had a season-high 17 digs. Kellisha Harley tallied 11 and Lopes had 10. Harley contributed 46 assists.
For Hillsdale, Lauren Grover and Emily Wolfert each had 12 kills, while Caitlin Kopmeyer was right behind with 11. The Chargers had 51 total kills for a .222 attack percentage. Baily Lindner contributed 17 digs. Lenhart finished the game with 28 assists, with Alexis Waugh adding 16.
“We’ve got to do the same thing tomorrow that we did tonight– to pass, serve and sideout. We have to be able to control them.
The ‘Cats will return to Vandament Arena on Saturday (Nov. 3) to take on Northwood University at 4 p.m.