NMU volleyball sweeps visiting Hillsdale
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University volleyball (6-5, 6-0 GLIAC) was able to stay perfect by sweeping the Hillsdale Chargers with scores of 25-21, 29-27 and 25-22. NMU was able to produce a hitting percentage of .211 and .250 in the final two sets of the victory.
The Wildcats came out hot to start the match and were able to start the opening set with a 6-1 run. NMU would hold onto the lead to a score of 16-12. Hillsdale’s Erin Holingser helped charge the Charger’s offense as they went on a 6-0 run to take the lead at 18-16. Holingser would have four kills during the run. NMU answered quickly, however, as freshman setter Jami Hogeboom went back to the line to help re-energize the Wildcat offense. The Wildcats were able to go on a 6-0 run to retake the lead at 22-18. The remainder of the set NMU was able to hold off the Chargers and go on to a 25-21 victory.
The second set started out fairly similar as NMU was able to gain a comfortable lead at 16-11. A Hillsdale timeout shifted the momentum quickly, however. This time it would be Emily Wolfert for the Chargers who helped revitalize the offense out of the timeout as she went back to the line and was able to produce three aces and two kills in a Hillsdale 8-1 run that gave them a 19-17 lead. NMU attempted to chip away at this lead but Hillsdale found themselves with set point at 24-21. The Wildcats were able to hold off the Chargers three consecutive set points and eventually take the lead at 25-24. NMU was unable to win the set off their first two set points, but the third time proved to be the charm as the Wildcats completed the come-back at 29-27.
The Wildcats came out sloppy in the third set as two attacking errors and a service ace gave Hillsdale an early 3-0 lead. NMU responded as they were able to take the lead on an 8-1 run shortly after. NMU did a great job the remainder of the set by getting side outs and preventing the Chargers to go on any extended runs. Hillsdale would make a push late to tie the game at 21-21, but the Wildcats ended the set strong with a 4-1 run to give NMU a sweep at 25-22.
“I think the scrimmages we played early in the year and the tournament we played in against really good competition but it was all about the experience our freshman got during the first four weeks,” commented Head Coach Dominic Yoder on the hot play in GLIAC action, thus far. “Our freshman are really blossoming and this is a really good team that is going to be reckoned with in the GLIAC. We just need to keep our focus. I really like the way our juniors are playing with Lisa (Studnicka) on the left side and Alex (Berger) in the libero spot. Our freshman are helping to make this a really good team.”
Junior outside hitter Lisa Studnicka led the offense for NMU with a game-high 4 kills, while sophomore middle hitter Anna Aycock and freshman middle hitter Madison Whitehead each chipped in double digit kills with 12 and 10, respectively. Freshman setter Meghan Seymour put together a strong game with 31 assists out of 46 Wildcat kills. In the back row, junior libero Alex Berger dug up a game-high 16 balls.
NMU will be back in action again tomorrow, Saturday, September 27th, when they take on Findlay with first serve at 3:30 p.m.
(Information Courtesy of NMU Athletics)