Great Lakes Wire

Northern Michigan University's women's volleyball team began its 2025 season with a 3-1 win over Wheeling University at the SpringHill Suites Invitational in Pensacola, Florida. After losing the first set 17-25, the Wildcats responded by taking the next three sets 25-21, 26-24, and 25-16.

"I'm very proud of the team tonight," coach Mike Lozier said following the win. "We started slow, but they answered my call to step up."

Junior setter Allie Barlow led Northern's offense with 55 assists, distributing plays that challenged Wheeling's defense throughout the match. Kaysie Bakke posted a team-high 17 kills with a .400 attack percentage. McKenzie Gruner added 15 kills on .500 hitting, Sydney Bartels had 13 kills at .344, and Emilia Gulock contributed eight kills at .316. Each of these four players matched or surpassed their previous career bests in kills.

"We had players out there who have spent years being in a supporting role, and tonight they got to show what they are made of," Lozier added.

Collectively, Bakke, Gruner, Bartels, and Gulock each recorded at least eight kills while hitting above .300. The team's offensive efficiency improved as the match progressed: from an opening set attack percentage of .116 to .314 in the second set, .325 in the third set, and .367 in the fourth. Overall for the match, NMU hit .270 with a total of 60 kills—a mark only topped once last season during four-set matches.

On defense, Northern Michigan tallied 60 digs. Liesl Haugen led with 20 digs and also served four aces; Bartels contributed another 13 digs. The Wildcats finished with eight aces overall.

Wheeling University ended with a team attack percentage of .182 and totaled 45 kills; Cami Black led their effort with 15 kills.

The Wildcats' next games will be played tomorrow as part of a doubleheader against Spring Hill College at 12:30 p.m. ET and Southwest Minnesota State at 8 p.m. ET.