The Wildcat volleyball team hosts Ohio opponents after a weekend of losses on the road.
The ’Cats took on the Hillsdale College Chargers on Friday, Oct. 2 at Potter Arena.
“The team did a very good job reducing our errors,” head coach Dominic Yoder said. “[We] had one of the lowest error per set weekends of this year. [Kayla] Chosa and [Madison] Whitehead lead us this weekend with strong performances at the net.”
They could put more consistent pressure on the opponents. They did at times during set wins, but were too inconsistent in set losses. One point, one set and one match at a time. The ’Cats need focus on individual consistency in practice to help translate to more consistent performances in matches Yoder said.
The Chargers toppled NMU 3-1.
Hillsdale won the first two sets, before the ’Cats forced a fourth set after winning the third set 25-20. The Chargers won the match with the fourth match, 25-21.
Senior libero Alex Berger led the Wildcats with 24 digs, while sophomore setter Jami Hogeboom had 50 assists.
“This past weekend the team played together throughout,” Berger said. “We battled hard together. Whether the outcome shows that or not, we left everything on the floor this weekend. We minimized our errors and forced the opponents to work very hard for their points.”
The team just needs to execute a little more and finish games within the tight rallies. If they can execute just a couple more balls it could be the difference of winning and losing for them Berger said.
The Wildcats continued the weekend against the University of Findlay Oilers on Saturday Oct. 3 at Croy Gymnasium.
The ’Cats raced to a win in the first set, before the Oilers took over the match and won the last three sets.
Junior middle hitter Anna Aycock had 14 kills in the match, while Hogeboom led the team again with 38 assists.
“I’m a firm believer that the only person who can beat you is yourselves,” Berger said. “And I agree with that for our team this weekend. Our greatest struggle will be battling ourselves, pushing to finish, execute at an even higher level and to not back down until our goals have been met.”
NMU will host the Malone University Pioneers at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at Vandament Arena.
The Pioneers have a 5-12 overall record and 1-6 in GLIAC.
In the 2014-2015 season the Wildcats recorded a 3-0 win over the Pioneers.
The Wildcat’s weekend will continue against the Walsh University Cavalier’s at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Vandament Arena.
The Cavaliers are 4-11 overall and on a seven game losing streak with an 0-7 record in the GLIAC.
“I think the greatest difficulty we are going to face is against Malone and Walsh starting strong and ending stronger in each set,” sophomore middle hitter Madison Whitehead said. “If we are able to accomplish this I think our team will finish this weekend with two wins.”
