This story was wtitten by Bay College SID Mike Pankow

PETOSKEY, MI – The Bay College Norse (9-14, 2-6) got back to their winning-ways on Tuesday evening, sweeping the North Central Michigan Timberwolves (1-11, 1-7) in straight sets by scores of 25-12, 25-21, and 25-19.  The win snaps a six-game losing streak.

Bay set the tone early, dominating the first set.  North Central committed ten attack errors compared to Bay's three.  The Norse got a pair of service aces from Emma Rutter (FR, Chatham, MI) and one more from Tori Jandt (FR, Peshtigo, WI) on their way to taking a 1-0 lead.

The second set saw the Norse run up against some adversity as they committed six attack errors, four service errors, and three ball handling errors allowing the home team to keep the score tight.  Bay's defense picked up the team as they collected 32 digs in the set, 13 of them coming from Jandt.  North Central once again had a negative attack percentage, which allowed the Norse to take the set by a slim margin. 

Bay put together their strongest attack in the third and final set, committing just two errors and hitting at a .207 rate as a team.  Kylee Tadisch (FR, Coleman, WI) led the way with five kills on nine attempts.  The Norse did give the Timberwolves a chance, adding five more service errors, but the road team was able to overcome and take the final set by six points.

"It was a big win today," said Head Coach Dan Porath.  "It was great to break the losing streak, but as a team we have been talking about a playoff push.  It would be great for a first-year program to make a run."

Tadisch finished with a strong line, ending with eight kills, a .273 kill percentage, one solo block, and two assisted blocks.  Jandt tallied 27 digs, while Amber Caylor (FR, Wausaukee, WI) ended up with 21 assists.

It was revealed by the Region after the match that Bay has qualified for the District Tournament on November 3-5.  NJCAA Region 12 currently hosts two district tournaments, with the winners of both advancing to the National Tournament.

Both tournaments will be hosted by St. Clair Community College.

Bay is currently in a battle with Alpena Community College to determine who is the third and the fourth seed The fourth seed would go into the District B Tournament and start with a play-in game on November 2 against the four seed from the South.  The three seed would draw the third seed from the West in the District A Tournament to be played on November 3. 

Bay will continue to make that playoff push on Saturday as they host Delta College at 1 pm.