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Northern Michigan University volleybal Wildcats looking to build new win streak

Northern Michigan University senior setter Lynzi Svoboda scrambles for a loose ball headed out of bounds during the Wildcats’ volleyball match against Northwood at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University volleyball team is looking to build another winning streak with a pair of home GLIAC match this weekend, which is homecoming weekend.

The Wildcats host Grand Valley State at 7 p.m. Friday and Davenport at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Vandament Arena.

NMU started the season with nine straight wins, then lost three GLIAC contests in a row only to bounce back and win its most recent match in five sets at home over Northwood on Saturday to move its record to 10-3 overall, 2-3 in the conference.

Online links are available to follow every contest, with direct links on the team schedule or composite calendar at www.nmuwildcats.com.

For both of this weekend’s matches, Twitter updates are available at https://twitter.com/NMU_Wildcats and live video at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/nmu/.

For the GVSU match, live stats can be found at http://nmuwildcats.com/sports/wvball/2018-19/boxscores/20180921_4frr.xml and tickets at https://bit.ly/2Da32P3.

For Davenport, live stats can be found at http://nmuwildcats.com/sports/wvball/2018-19/boxscores/20180922_3uwr.xml and tickets at https://bit.ly/2xxUc7C.

As part of homecoming activities, fans can stop prior to Friday’s match at the Food Truck Rally in Lot 21 near Center Street, while also picking up free Wildcat gear before heading to the arena, according to NMU Sports Information.

On the court, NMU junior Sarah Kuehn leads the GLIAC in hitting percentage at .343, posting 136 kills with an average of 2.67 kills per set.

Senior teammate Lynzi Svoboda has made 526 assists, or 10.30 per set, ranking her fifth in the GLIAC and 19th nationally in assists per set.

Senior Autumn Monsma became the 18th player in Wildcats’ history to achieve 100 service aces in her career, now with 113.

Senior Rachel Braunschweig is set to become the 16th player at NMU to achieve 1,000 digs as she is now at 963, averaging 3.93 digs per set.

Sophomore Leticia Antunes is ranked in the GLIAC in two categories, fifth with 3.51 kills per set and fourth with 179 kills, the latter also putting her 31st nationally.

The Wildcats rank second in the GLIAC with 13.5 kills per set and their 690 kills are 21st in the country. They are currently hitting .202 as a team and have tallied 139 more kills than their opponents.

NMU is looking for its first win since 2012 against Grand Valley (9-4, 2-3), though two of the past three meetings with the Lakers have gone to five sets. GVSU leads the conference with 97 aces.

Davenport (8-6, 3-2) joined the GLIAC last season and the Wildcats won 3-0 in the regular season and 3-1 in the GLIAC Tournament.

After this weekend, Northern hits the road for three weeks, returning for a pair of GLIAC matches on Friday, Oct. 19, vs. Saginaw Valley State and Saturday, Oct. 20 vs. Lake Superior State.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.

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