GRAND RAPIDS/BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Northern Michigan volleyball team opened Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a pair of road losses over the weekend, falling in straight sets at Davenport on Friday before dropping a three-set match to No. 12 Ferris State on Saturday. The Wildcats now sit at 1-9 overall and 0-2 in GLIAC play, with their last nine matches ending in defeat. 

Friday at Davenport 

NMU battled closely in its GLIAC opener but ultimately fell 22-25, 13-25, and 23-25 to the Panthers. The Wildcats finished with 29 kills on a .151 hitting percentage, led by Kaysie Bakke and Kaylie McIntosh with eight apiece. 

Davenport’s serving proved decisive, as the Panthers landed nine aces, including six from Hayley Carr during a massive 12-0 run in the second set. Despite strong strides from NMU, including a 7-0 burst to start the third and a late lead at 23-22, the Wildcats were unable to hold off a Davenport rally. 

Saturday at No. 12 Ferris State 

Northern followed with a trip to nationally ranked Ferris State, where they fell 19-25, 23-25, and 18-25. The Wildcats put together their second-best offensive performance of the year, hitting .215 with 35 kills, but the Bulldogs answered with a .318 attack clip and 44 kills. 

Sydney Bartels paced NMU with 11 kills on a .276 hitting percentage, while McIntosh added three service aces. Setter Allie Barlow dished out 31 assists, and libero Lauren Cardwell led the defense with 16 digs. 

The Wildcats stayed competitive, rallying late in the second set to tie the score at 23 before Ferris closed it out. In the third, NMU couldn’t overcome an early deficit as the Bulldogs secured the sweep. 

Up Next 

After 10 straight matches on the road to begin the season, the Wildcats will return home to Vandament Arena for their long-awaited home opener against Parkside on Friday, Sept. 26. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.