HOUGHTON, MI – The University of Mary volleyball team wasted no time getting into a highly competitive match. The Marauders opened up the season with a five set thriller against Northern Michigan University at the Keweenaw Classic. NMU was able to narrowly claim victory over UMary 3-2.
The two teams went back and forth with NMU taking sets one, three, and five and the Marauders taking sets two and four. With the outcome from the season opener the Marauders fall to 0-1 and the Wildcats improve to 1-0.
The game featured tremendous performances by several different Marauders. UMary was able record a total of 55 kills which was four more than the opponent. By dominating in sets two and four the Marauders were able to score more points over the five sets than the Wildcats.
PIVOT POINT
Both teams won a pair of sets before heading into the fifth and final set. In a first to 15, winner take all fifth set, both teams came out aggressive with NMU holding a narrow 6-5 lead early in the set. The Wildcats then went on a 5-0 run to take an 11-5 lead, a lead that the Marauders would be unable to overcome, falling 15-9 in the fifth set.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Sydney Murphy posted a big double-double with team highs in both digs and assists. The junior setter recorded a game high of 44 assists and a team high of 16 digs.
Morgan Schnabel posted a team high of 20 kills to go along with her 12 digs.
Anna Nietfeld got her senior season started in tremendous fashion by recording a career high of 19 kills.
The Marauders recorded six aces on the game with freshman
Caitlin Schneeweis leading the way with two.
Julianna Hughes led the way for the Marauders at the net with three blocks.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Marauders senior
Anna Nietfeld not only set a career high with 19 kills but she did it very efficiently by recording an astounding .400 hitting percentage. Her hitting percentage was a game high.
SCOREBOARD
Set one: NMU 25-17
Set two: UMary 25-11
Set three: NMU 25-17
Set four: UMary 25-16
Set five: NMU 15-9
The Marauders are right back into action tomorrow with two more matches. UMary gets things going in the morning with an 8 AM match against UW-Parkside. They will follow that up against tournament host, Michigan Tech at 12 PM. Both matches will feature live stats and the match against Michigan Tech will have a live stream. Go to goumary.com/coverage to find both live stats and live streaming.
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