After dropping the first game on Tuesday night, NMU earned three consecutive wins to defeat the Lake Superior State (LSSU) Lakers in GLIAC play.
On the road after a week at home, the ‘Cats (11-7 overall, 5-1 GLIAC) remained in second place in the GLIAC North Division with the victory (31-29, 30-20, 30-23, 30-19).
“We were expecting a battle [because] it’s always tough to play on the road” NMU Head Coach Dominic Yoder said.
LSSU (5-10, 1-3) came from behind in the first game with the help of a combined seven kills from Ali Jones and Sara Hess. Jamie Gross knocked in three block solos for the Lakers.
“We’re a young team and I think that kind of shows for us when we don’t [stay consistent] and finish games,” Yoder said.
Wildcat senior Brittany McGowan pushed up 43 assists while libero Cassie Osiecki snuck in a season high 23 digs. Spiker Caryn VanBeckum slammed six service aces and 10 kills for the ‘Cats.
NMU ended the match with a team total of 11 service aces and 62 kills to overcome LSSU’s 41 kills and five service aces. The team whipped up a high hit percentage in the second game with .205 and an overall match average of .162.
The players will now prepare to face the third and fourth place GLIAC teams this weekend.
Saginaw Valley State (13-5, 2-3) will travel to Marquette on Saturday to face the ‘Cats in the Vandament Arena at 4 p.m., while Northwood (14-3, 2-3) will make the trip north on Sunday at 1p.m.
“We’re in second place going into this match [but] Saginaw Valley and Northwood are good teams; we have to take that into account and play them tough,” Yoder said.
