9-1 START: NMU Volleyball Team Sweeps At Home

These stories are courtesy of NMU Sports Information

SATURDAY'S MATCH RECAP

MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU Volleyball team started the GLIAC schedule off with a sweep of Grand Valley State Friday, and followed it up with another sweep of Davenport Saturday to start the season 9-1 and 2-0 in the GLIAC.

Davenport started off hot, taking the first four points of the set before NMU got on the board. Rayne Thompson, Meghan Meyer, and Lizzy Stark each got kills early to pull the 'Cats even at five apiece.

Meyer had the electric attack early, converting on each of her first four attempts to put NMU up 8-6 .

Each side was exchanging blows throughout the set, as neither team could put together a high-quality run. Davenport elected for the first timeout of the match, as the 'Cats led 14-13.

Meghan Meyer was doing it all in the first set, rejecting an attack attempt from the Panthers leading to a DU timeout as NMU had their largest lead 21-17.

Lizzy Stark polished off a set one win for the Green and Gold with a punishing kill. NMU claimed the first set 25-21. Jacqueline Smith, Lizzy Stark, and Meghan Meyer all posted four kills.

The Panthers came out clicking to start set two as well, taking seven of the first nine points for a 7-2 advantage and a Wildcats timeout.

Lizzy Stark got the momentum back for NMU, getting a trio of kills out of the timeout as part of a four-point run to get the Wildcats back in it.

After an 11-7 DU lead, the Wildcats rattled off five points in a row capped off by a Madeline Crowley service ace to take a 12-11 lead.

The visitors picked up the pace nearing the end of the set, jumping to a 22-19 lead and a timeout from the NMU sideline. It was a productive break for the Green and Gold, as they took the next three points for a 22-all tie and a Panthers timeout.

Jacqueline Smith wrapped up an impressive comeback to set two for NMU, finishing her 10th kill for set point, and Northern led 2-0 with a 26-24 set two win.

For the third straight set, the Panthers got ahead early, taking a 4-1 lead over the Wildcats.

NMU took their first lead at 10-9 as McKenzie Gruner utilized her height to reject an attack attempt at the net.

Gruner's freshman teammate Rayne Thompson finished off a kill to keep NMU within clawing distance trailing 15-13.

The longest rally of the day included an impressive dig from Madeline Crowley and a Lauren Van Remortel assist to Smith to finish off a well-earned NMU point and a 19-17 lead looking for the sweep.

Lauren Van Remortel found Meghan Meyer to finish off the match, as she punished the ball into the hardwood for a 25-23 win and NMU sweep of the Panthers.

Jacqueline Smith (16), Lizzy Stark (12), and Meghan Meyer (11) all reached double-digit kills in the three-set match.
Lauren Van Remortel recorded 36 assists.

Alli Yacko led the way with 11 digs while Jacqueline Smith added ten.

Meghan Meyer was very efficient on the attack, finishing with a .688 hitting percentage.

FRIDAY'S MATCH RECAP

MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU Volleyball team took on the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Lakers and claimed the match 3-0.

The Lakers opened up the set with a kill. After Grand Valley pulled through to the lead, a bad set and a well-placed kill by Jacqueline Smith tied the set up at two.

NMU and GVSU rallied and brought the tie to five. A wired connection from Caylie Barlage placed Lizzy Stark up for a kill and the 'Cats took the lead. A service error from the Lakers claimed NMU another point and brought the team to earn three.

The Wildcats carried the lead, but the Lakers retaliated and tied the set up at 13. The teams continued to volley, while Smith and Meyer earned points for the 'Cats.

Stark brought the set to a point and an ace by Alli Yacko secured the set.

The wildcats took it 25-23.

A will-positioned kill by Smith opened up the set for the 'Cats, but the Lakers quickly answered back.

Grand Valley State gained their momentum and found themselves with the lead 7-3. A block by the Freshmen, Gruner and Thompson, brought the 'Cats back into the game. Stark followed with a kill and the score was at 5-7.

Meyer brought the team to 6-7, but a side out from the Lakers kept them in the lead.

Stark and Meyer rallied for the team and brought the score and the lead to the 'Cats, 11-10.

As the crowd became electric, Lauren Van Remortel positioned Smith to make her 14th, 15th, and 16th kills of the night. The score was now 15-13.

The Lakers came back from a deficit to take the lead 19-18. The 'Cats answered once again and brought the set to a tie at 20. A block by Meghan Meyer gave the 'Cats the lead.

The Lakers called a timeout, but could not keep up with the 'Cats. NMU took the second 25-23.

The Lakers opened the set with a major run and brought the score to 1-4. A kill by McKenzie Gruner brought the 'Cats to two.

GVSU continued to climb, and brought the score to 4-8. Lauren Van Remortel posted a kill on the night to bring the score to 5-8.

With the Lakers still in the lead, Van Remortel earned another point by tipping it over the net and earning the serve. Rayne Thompson absolutely hammered it across the net to lessen the deficit to 8-14.

After surpassing 1000 points Lizzy Stark went on a streak and tallied three. Caylie Barlage followed with an ace. The score was 12-17, still in favor of the Lakers.

Grand Valley called a timeout but did not throw Meghan Meyer off. She tallied two.

With the score at 17-20, Van Remortel put it over the net, and Rayne Thompson put a stop to the Lakers and blocked the ball.

Smith squared the set and earned another to bring the set to 21-20.

Thompson had an electric block and brought the 'Cats to match point. Grand Valley could not retaliate and NMU took the third 25-21.

Lizzy Stark surpassed 1000 kills and posted 15 kills on the night.

Jacqueline Smith was one shy of her Career High and claimed 22 kills on the night.

Rayne Thompson tallied two blocks and Caylie Barlage earned two service aces.