The Northern Michigan University volleyball team rode the wave of emotion generated by more than 1,200 fans inside Vandament Arena Tuesday night, beating the Michigan Tech Huskies, 3-0. The scores were 25-18, 27-25, and 25-14. Click the AUDIO button to hear post-game comments from Northern Michigan Coach Mike Lozier.

STORY WRITEN BY MICHIGAN TECH ATHLETICS
 

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team fell 3-0 Tuesday (Sept. 20) at Northern Michigan. The Wildcats won 25-18, 27-25, and 25-14 at Vandament Arena.

"Credit to Coach Lozier and the Wildcats on their great start to the season. They were the better team tonight," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "We're going to continue to work to get better in all areas of the game. We as a team take responsibility for where we fell short tonight. There's a lot of season left to go, and we're looking for some people to step up."

NMU (11-2, 4-1 GLIAC) jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first. The Huskies found their footing and cut the margin to three. The Wildcats closed on a 4-0 run to take the lead. Three different Huskies had at least two kills in the frame with Jillian Kuizenga leading the way with three.

Tech built a seven-point lead early in the second. NMU slowly closed the margin and tied it at 22. Jillian Kuizenga had late kills, one to give Tech a 23-22 lead and then one to keep the set alive after an NMU setpoint. The home team got a kill by Jacqueline Smith for its third setpoint and an attacking error by the Huskies made it 2-0. Kuizenga notched five kills in the second and Lindy Oujiri added three.

Northern hopped out to a quick 10-point lead in the third and never looked back.

Kuizenga led the Huskies with 12 kills, hitting double figures for the eighth time this season. Lina Espejo-Ramirez was back in the lineup with 22 assists and nine digs. Carissa Beyer (10 digs) and Brooke Dzwik (9 digs) also stepped up defensively.

Tech is now 7-5 overall and 1-4 in the GLIAC and continues a five-match road stretch at Purdue Northwest Friday and Parkside Saturday.

STORY WRITTEN BY NMU SPORTS INFORMATION

MARQUETTE, MI. – The Northern Michigan University Volleyball team returns to Vandament Arena for the most anticipated game of the season. The Wildcats took on the Michigan Technological University Huskies in a straight three-set win.

The Wildcats wasted no time in securing the first few points of the game, as Jacqueline Smith pounded down her first kill of many. The Vandament was full to the brim with Wildcat fans, making the opening score of 6-0 so much more enjoyable.

The serve went back to the Husky end, giving them the chance to produce a few points. Jacqueline Smith pulled out the full nine yards as she helped the 'Cats keep the lead, hitting a serve so powerful over the net that you may have thought it was a spike.

Northern seniors Madeline Crowley and Ali Yacko let almost nothing by them as the Huskies continued to try to get back into the set. Someone get these girls a shovel because they're digging!

As the score hit 17-13 in favor of the 'Cats, they began closing all the gaps for Husky success. Rayne Thompson stepped in for the Wildcats, showing off her expert vertical, hitting a massive kill. It was set point for the 'Cats and Ali Yacko walked up to serve the closer, giving the deadly duo Lauren Van Remortel and Jacquline Smith another setup for the perfect kill.

The Wildcats won the set 25-18.

The Huskies secured the first few points of the set, capitalizing on Wildcat errors. The 'Cats took a quick timeout once the score hit 8-3 Huskies. But Northern came out flying as freshman McKenzie Gruner showed no remorse, hitting a picture-perfect kill. 

Both teams danced around the court, while the Huskies were holding a lead at 14-10, the 'Cats did not let down. Caylie Barlage made tremendous efforts to set the ball from anywhere, one could even see her flying into the stands a few times. 

Rayne Thompson and McKenzie Gruner dominated the net, blocking any Husky kill, and throwing down heaters into Husky territory. Lizzy Stark showed her superiority as she tipped and tapped balls over the net that the Huskies could not recover. 

The score hit 22-19 in favor of the Huskies, Meghan Meyer and Jacqueline Smith both stepped up to spike the ball. Bringing our score to 22-22. The Huskies began to get nervous as the score got tighter, but the 'Cats used it to their advantage, setting themselves up for set point. The

Wildcats took the set 27-25.

The Wildcats went on to take full control of the first few points of the set. Lizzy Stark smashed down another photo finish kill, which got the whole crowd on their feet. Each play was better than the last as the 'Cats took every opportunity to succeed, 12-2. 

Jacqueline Smith showed the Huskies who was boss as she hit back-to-back kills, extending the Northern lead. Ania Hyatt took the court for the 'Cats, becoming a vital asset to the Wildcat net blocks. 

There was no turning back for the Wildcats as they extended their lead to 22-10. Meghan Meyer once again threw down a perfectly placed spike to send the 'Cats to match point. Jacqueline Smith was able to close out the game with a nonrecoverable kill. 

Final score was 25-14.

Jaqueline Smith tallied 21 points and 19 kills helping the 'Cats to the win. 

Lizzy Stark made her mark producing 11 points and 10 total kills. 

Lauren Van Remortel assisted on 34 of the Wildcats' 52 total points. 

Madeline Crowley held a perfect reception percentage.

Next weekend, the Volleyball team will travel south to compete in two games. On Friday, Sept 23, the Wildcats will take on the University of Wisconsin- Parkside at 7 p.m. They travel to Indiana to compete on Saturday, Sept 24 against Purdue Northwest University for a midday game at 2 p.m.