This story was written by NMU Sports Information

CEDARVILLE, Ohio---The Northern Michigan University volleyball team swept Cedarville Thursday evening to start its three-match Ohio trip and extend its winning streak to four games.
 

After edging the Yellow Jackets by slim 26-24 and 25-22 margins in the first two sets, the Wildcats rolled to their fourth sweep of the season by taking the third, 25-13.

"This was a very good way to start our road trip," head coach Dominic Yoder said. "The team scrambled very well to create scoring opportunities. We had worked all week on serving more aggressively, and it paid off in keeping Cedarville consistently out of system."

With the teams tied at eight apiece in the first set, Northern Michigan used a 5-0 run, which included three kills by Kayla Chosa, to take a 13-8 lead. Cedarville regrouped, winning eight of the next 11 points to tie the match at 16.

From that point on, the teams traded points and were locked in a tie three times. The Wildcats closed out the victory on a block by Bridget Bussell and Autumn Monsma in extra points.

In the second set, Northern Michigan again used an early run to seize the momentum. With the teams locked at seven apiece, the Wildcats went on a 7-2 run to take a 14-9 advantage. The Yellow Jackets again responded, pulling within one, at 16-15, by winning six of the next eight points.

Northern Michigan built a three-point cushion on two kills by Marta Fraga Guntin and a service ace by Bussell. But Cedarville erased that cushion, and took the lead, on the strength of a 6-0 run.

After a timeout, the Wildcats pulled within one thanks to a block by Chosa. Then, a kill by Fraga Guntin tied the match at 21. Northern Michigan closed out the set on a 4-1 run to take a 2-0 lead.

The Wildcats carried the momentum from their rally into the third set, winning four-straight points and then building a 10-4 lead. At the midpoint of the set, they won nine-straight points, including eight withJami Hogeboom serving, to build an insurmountable 20-7 advantage.

Madison Whitehead continued her strong play, recording a match-high 15 kills and a .406 hitting percentage. Chosa recorded 11 kills and a match-best .579 hitting percentage while Fraga Guntin posted 11 kills and a .360 hitting percentage.

Megan Dahl (16), Hogeboom (12) and Monsma (11) all reached the double digits in digs. Hogeboom also contributed 38 assists.

"Kayla, Madison and Marta got it done at the net," Yoder said. "Jami set up our attackers and played outstanding defense while our digging defensive crew, headed by Dahl, prevented Cedarville from scoring."

During their four-game winning streak, the Wildcats have swept three opponents.

Now 8-4 (2-0 GLIAC) on the season, they resume GLIAC play Friday by squaring off against Tiffin at 7 p.m.