MARQUETTE – The Northern Michigan University volleyball team was picked to finish fourth in the GLIAC North Division this season.

The Wildcats picked up 34 votes, one behind Saginaw Valley State. Ferris State was predicted to win the North, while Findlay was picked to win the South ahead of Ashland and Hillsdale.

NMU went 14-14 last season and 14-4 in the GLIAC. They also clinched a home playoff match for the second straight season.

Key returning players include seniors Lisa Studnicka and Alex Berger along with sophomore Madison Whitehead.

Studnicka was named to the All-GLIAC Second Team and finished fourth in the conference with 289 kills and averaged 3.25 kills per set.

Berger was the Wildcats’ libero, was a member of the All-GLIAC First Team and finished third in the conference with 493 digs.

Whitehead had 263 kills last year and was ninth in the GLIAC with 78 total blocks.

NMU opens this season at home with the Wildcat Open Sept. 3 against Lake Superior State at 7 p.m. at Vandament Arena.

The Wildcats will also hold their Green and Gold intrasquad scrimmage Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.