Great Lakes Wire

The Northern Michigan University (NMU) women's volleyball team is set to begin its 2025 season at the SpringHill Suites Invitational in Pensacola, Florida. The event, hosted by the University of West Florida, will take place from September 4 to September 6 and features four matches against teams that all qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2024.

NMU opens tournament play on Thursday against Wheeling University, a first-time opponent. On Friday, they face another new rival, Spring Hill College, followed by Southwest Minnesota State later that evening. The Wildcats close out the weekend on Saturday with a match against host West Florida.

Head coach Mike Lozier commented on the team's outlook for the season: "We graduated seniors that were instrumental to our success on and off the floor, but the team we have this year is super motivated. We are in a position to see what we are made of. We open the season with really good opponents these first two weekends and I believe we are ready for it."

The Wildcats enter this campaign after being picked to finish fourth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), following their third-place finish last year with a 13-4 conference record. The team lost five seniors including all-time kills leader Jacqueline Smith and will look to new leaders such as captains Allie Barlow, McKenzie Gruner, and Helen Beiring.

Senior middle blocker McKenzie Gruner played in all 29 matches last season and led NMU with 57 total blocks while recording 224 kills. Junior setter Allie Barlow was named to the All-GLIAC Second Team after tallying over 1,100 assists and ranking second in league play with service aces. Junior libero Liesl Haugen received an All-GLIAC Honorable Mention for her defensive contributions.

Several returners including Helen Beiring and Kaysie Bakke are expected to step up offensively this year. Head coach Mike Lozier enters his ninth season leading NMU with a career record of 132-88 (.600). Assistant coaches Kam Duffield and Lauren Van Remortel join him on staff.

The Wildcats' first opponent, Wheeling University, finished last season with a 27-11 record and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 while returning two All-Conference players. Spring Hill College went 24-8 in 2024 and has won six consecutive Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles; their libero Ashlyn Whiteside was named SIAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Southwest Minnesota State posted a 23-6 mark last year and returns most of its roster including AVCA All-American Honorable Mention McKenzie Tolk; they start this season ranked No.15 nationally by AVCA. Host West Florida finished last year at 27-6, went undefeated in Gulf Sun Conference play, and has multiple preseason honorees.

Fans can follow updates through NMU's social media accounts during tournament play.