NMU volleyball sweeps Tiffin

MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University volleyball made quick work of Tiffin University in a 3-0 sweep with scores of 25-21, 25-16 and 25-23. The Wildcats improved to 10-6 overall with a 10-1 mark in GLIAC play. The offense played strong holding Tiffin to a mere 48% efficiency in side outs. The Wildcats back row only allowed one ace and recored a side out 37 out of 61 opportunities for 60% efficiency.

“It was a hard, tough-fought battle,” commented Head Coach Dominic Yoder after the match. “Tiffin has a unique offense where they run really fast and they threw a lot of soft stuff at us so we had to scramble and play good defense. Our freshman did a nice job and our juniors, Alex Berger and Lisa Studnicka played really well so I am happy with the results.”

The offense shined in the first set for the Wildcats as the team recorded a hitting percentage of .333 in the set. Tifin managed to start the set with a meager 11-10 advantage before NMU scored four straight points and found themselves ahead 19-15 shortly after. The Dragons had an answer as they went on a 6-1 run to retake the lead at 21-20. Northern Michigan was able to finish the set strong, however, and scored the final five points to take the set at 25-21.

Freshman middle hitter Kayla Chosa led the set with five kills to no errors for a hitting percentage of .625, while sophomore outside hitter Alex Larsen hit .667 in the set with four kills and sophomore middle hitter Anna Aycock recorded four kills as well with a hitting percentage of .429.

The second set saw the NMU back row shine as they were able to out-dig the Dragons 22-15 and recorded a side out efficiency of 76%. Northern Michigan used a 9-1 run after a 6-6 start to hold an early 15-7 lead. The Wildcats continued to put pressure on the Dragons and an 8-2 run shortly after extended their lead out to 24-13. Tiffin held off the set point three times before NMU took the set at 25-16.

Aycock continued her hot play adding another six kills, which gave her a hitting percentage of .444 through the first two sets.

Tiffin started the third set quickly by jumping out to an early 10-2 lead. Northern Michigan was able to get back into the set through a 9-3 run cutting their deficit down to two at 13-11. Tiffin was able to extend their lead out to 16-12 before NMU used a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the set at 17-16. From there, the set was a tight affair with five ties eventually leading to a 23-23 draw. Northern Michigan was able to finish the set strong with junior outside hitter Lisa Studnicka recording a kill and a solo block to close the match at 25-23.

The front row would have four blocks in the set led by Studnicka’s two solo blocks. Sophomore Bridget Bussell added a solo block and an assisted block in the final set.

Aycock finished the match with 16 kills to lead NMU with Larsen right behind her chipping in another 11 kills. Chosa continued to attack efficiently finishing the match with eight kills and a .615 hitting percentage. Freshman setter Meghan Seymour put together a good game assisting on 32 Wildcat kills.

Northern Michigan will next be in action when they host University of Wisconsin-Parkside Monday, October 13th in Vandament Arena with first serve scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

(Information Courtesy of NMU Athletics)