The NMU volleyball team is gearing up for another weekend out of town, facing the Grand Valley State University Lakers at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 and the Ferris State University Bulldogs at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.

This past weekend, NMU volleyball played in a Great Lakes Valley Conference vs. Great Lake Intercollegiate Athletic Conference crossover.

The Wildcat volleyball team fell to all three GLVC teams on Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18.

Friday, Rockhurst University Hawks had a 3-1 victory over NMU while the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (3-0) and Lewis University Flyers (3-1) did on Saturday.

Despite the losses, sophomore and right side hitter Alex Larsen said the team worked well together over the weekend.

“This weekend, I think the team did a good job sticking together even when matches weren’t going our way,” Larsen said. “We always try to remind ourselves to fight for each point and to win especially in close matches.”

NMU volleyball will stop in Allendale, Mich., this weekend to face GVSU.

The Laker volleyball team currently stands No. 1 in GLIAC conference, 11-0.

Junior libero Alex Berger said she is excited to play Grand Valley State and Ferris this weekend.

“They are great competition, are at the top of the conference and will be a challenge.”

Saturday, the team will jump over to Big Rapids, Mich., to play the Ferris State Bulldogs. The Bulldog volleyball team is tied in GLIAC conference with our Wildcats, 10-1.

Head coach Dominic Yoder said believing and competing this weekend will be the focus.

“The team can play at this level,” Yoder said.

“They are going to be tough matches, we will have to put together a consistent performance from top to bottom.”

Larsen said for the games this weekend on the road, she, along with her team is ready for competition.

“Playing on the road is always a little tougher than playing in the Vandament, but we have the same mentality wherever we play,” Larsen said.

Last year, Friday, Nov. 3, NMU hosted and fell to GVSU, 3-0. Saturday, Nov. 4 2013, NMU hosted and earned a 3-0 victory over Ferris State.

“Coming off of a close loss to Grand Valley and a great win against Ferris last year, makes us as a team strive to be that much better,” Berger said.

“Our team is really good at playing with our hearts and that keeps us fighting through all of our matches.”