Mike Lozier Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
Mike Lozier Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
The Northern Michigan University volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season, falling to Spring Hill College in four sets during a match held in Pensacola, Florida. The Wildcats lost by set scores of 19-25, 25-22, 17-25, and 19-25.
Madison York led Northern Michigan with a career-high 14 kills, contributing multiple kills in each set and recording six in the second set. McKenzie Gruner added 13 kills while Emilia Gulock improved on her previous performance with 11 kills. The Wildcats finished the match with a total of 54 kills and a hitting percentage of .189.
Northern Michigan recorded more kills than Spring Hill College in each of the first two sets but was outperformed by the Badgers in the third set. Spring Hill ended the match with 55 kills and a .267 hitting percentage. Claire Hayes led Spring Hill’s offense with 21 kills.
In the opening set, Northern Michigan narrowed an early deficit but ultimately dropped the set as Spring Hill secured a 25-19 win. York and Kaysie Bakke each contributed four kills for NMU in that set.
The Wildcats took control early in the second set, building leads of three and then six points before closing out the frame at 25-22 on a kill from Gulock. York recorded six kills during this set.
Spring Hill responded strongly in the third set, taking an early lead and maintaining it throughout for a 25-17 result. It marked the first time this season that NMU trailed its opponent in total kills during a single set.
In the fourth and final set, Northern Michigan closed within one point after trailing by four but could not overcome another run from Spring Hill, who sealed both the set (25-19) and match victory.
The Wildcats are scheduled to play again later tonight against No. 15 Southwest Minnesota State at 8 p.m. ET.
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