And on Saturday, the Wildcats showed their resilience.

After dropping the opening set against Wisconsin-Parkside, Northern captured the next three sets to defeat the Rangers and sweep the weekend series. With a 5-1 record, NMU’s winning streak is now at five matches and it could easily be undefeated right now.

Parkside dominated the first set from start to finish, although the Wildcats did make things a little interesting before eventually falling 25-21. In the second set, Northern trailed again 17-13 before going on a big 12-0 run to end the set 25-217 that included three aces from Madeline Crowley and two kills each from Lizzy Stark, Ania Hyatt and Evynn Layshock.

The third set was more back and forth. NMU held a 7-2 lead, but the Rangers answered by scoring eight straight. After the teams were tied 15-15, the Wildcats caught fire again with the help of two Lauren Caprini aces and won the set 25-18.

Northern Michigan University's Alli Yacko, center in green, bumps the ball on a Wisconsin-Parkside serve during the second set on Saturday at Vandament Arena in Marquette. (Journal photo by Ryan Stieg)

Northern rolled in the fourth set as a 5-0 surge gave the Wildcats a 14-7 advantage. Parkside rallied as it rattled off six straight points, but a Meghan Meyer kill finished off a 25-19 set victory for NMU as well as the match.

Meyer led the ‘Cats offensively with 12 kills, while Hyatt had 11 and Stark 10. Lauren Van Remortel finished with 43 assists for NMU and Alli Yacko was the defensive leader with 22 digs.

On Friday, another Northern four set-victory, 25-18, 22-25, 25-16, 25-17, Stark led the Wildcats with 17 kills and a .342 hitting percentage, while Meyer had 12 kills and an even better .579 hitting percentage. Layshock and Van Remortel each had four service aces, while Yacko totaled 27 digs.

NMU put away a close first set following three consecutive errors committed by Parkside.

In the second, the Rangers erased Northern’s 16-10 lead with nine straight points, and while an attack error brought NMU within one point, Parkside finished off the set with a win.

Northern finished off the third set with three straight points off kills by Stark and Meyer and then a combined block by both those players.

NMU dominated the fourth set with 12 kills and only one error for a .414 team hitting percentage as it jumped out to a 4-0 lead that included two Van Remortel aces.

The Wildcats host Northwood this weekend with Friday’s match at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday’s at 2 p.m. in Vandament Arena.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg and Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. Email them at sports@miningjournal.net.