This was the first of two scheduled regular-season encounters between the teams. Their rematch will be in Houghton at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, another match that likely will be televised by WLUC-TV6 or Fox-U.P.

Northern improved to 6-1 in the GLIAC and 10-4 overall, while the Huskies slipped to 4-3 and 8-6, after the Wildcats prevailed 22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-15.

NMU used a commanding performance from fifth-year senior Jacqueline Smith, who totaled 18 kills and had an attack percentage of .333.

The 18 kills not only led the Wildcats, but her performance also cemented a milestone as she added to her all-time leader in career kills at NMU that she set in the Wildcats’ previous match last weekend.

Northern Michigan University fifth-year senior Jacqueline Smith, center, holds her signed ball from when she set the school record for career kills last Saturday, at home against Lake Superior State. She stands with NMU head coach Mike Lozier, right, and athletic director Rick Comley in Vandament Arena in Marquette before a match on Thursday against Michigan Tech. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

“We let that first set get away from us,” Northern head coach Mike Lozier said. “But after that, I felt like we were in control.

“We’re a very talented team but our biggest uphill can be our own confidence…. So, I thought we did a really good job staying mentally tough the entire night.”

Michigan Tech head coach Matt Jennings acknowledged the Wildcats’ sharp serving and defense as key differences.

“Our offense continues to show signs of being really good but our server receive it just wasn’t not good enough today,” he said. “Credit to coach Mike and their team, I think they played really well. Their defense and service receive made all the difference for them on their side of the court, and you know it was a good battle, and I guess a good team and thinking all on top.”

Lozier, meanwhile, praised his team’s overall performance but remained realistic about what the future has in store.

“I think we’re the better team, and I thought that we showed that,” he said. “Now we know we play Tech later this season, and they’re going to come back and be better than they were (Thursday), but we’re going to enjoy this, because it’s a rivalry win.”

The Wildcats opened the match by taking an early lead, 4-1, that included kills by Smith and Meghan Meyer, and didn’t let Tech catch them until a 5-0 run put the Huskies on top 22-21. That string included kills by MTU’s Kaycee Meiners, Rachel Zurek and Meg Raabe, along with a Tess Hayes service ace.

After NMU retied it 22-22 on a service error, the Huskies scored the final three points — including two Zurek kills — to take the set.

In the second set, the Wildcats found their groove, sparked by an aggressive serving run from Allie Barlow, who delivered three consecutive aces to push NMU to a 6-2 lead. Barlow would go on to finish with four aces, helping Northern apply relentless pressure.

While Tech closed the gap to 12-11, NMU’s McKenzie Gruner came up with a key block that shifted the momentum back in NMU’s favor as it scored five consecutive points to go ahead 17-11. That included kills from Smith and

Though the Huskies tied it up again at 20-20 in the midst of seven-point streak, a clutch kill from Northern’s Kaysie Bakke, followed by two aces from Julia Bouma, gave the Wildcats the edge they needed to take the set.

Riding that momentum, the Wildcats took command in the third set. After a tight 7-7 start, NMU pulled ahead thanks to a series of kills from Smith and Meyer, who finished with eight kills.

The Wildcats’ defense, anchored by Helen Beiring with three blocks and seven kills of her own, helped maintain the lead as NMU built an 18-12 advantage. By the time Tech called a timeout, the Wildcats had all the momentum, and they didn’t let up, cruising to victory and a 2-1 lead.

The fourth set started in dominant fashion for Northern, as it jumped out to a 5-1 lead, forcing an early timeout by the Huskies. Barlow, who was effective on offense and defense, contributed three kills and seven assists in the final set, helping the Wildcats keep their foot on the gas. Smith continued her stellar night with several more key plays as NMU extended its lead to 18-9.

With the Huskies unable to find an answer, Meyer delivered a final blow, scoring a kill that made it 23-14. Following a pair of MTU errors, Northern finished off the match.

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.