Box Score

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (7-7, 4-2) fell 3-1 to Northern Michigan (11-4, 5-1) on Friday night inside the Matthaei Center. The Warriors dropped the first set 25-18 but rebounded to take the second set 25-20. The Wildcats took set three 25-20 and erased an 18-12 deficit in the fourth set to win 25-23 and take the match.

NMU jumped out to 10-2 lead to begin the first set which included runs of 5-0 and 6-0 for the visitors. The Wildcats extended their lead to 20-10 on a WSU attack error. WSU would stage a comeback and pull within five at 22-17 before NMU regained control and took the set 25-18.

WSU led 6-4 to open the second set and led until the Wildcats took an 11-10 lead on a kill from Bridget Bussell. WSU created some breathing room at 20-17 following a Wildcat attack error. The Warriors took five of the last seven points to collect a 25-20 set-two victory.

Set three was tied at 15-15 but NMU would gain the momentum and take a 20-16 lead on a Lina Lopes kill. Lopes closed the set with a kill to give NMU a 25-20 win. 

The Warriors led by as many as six points in the fourth set. A NMU attack error gave the Warriors an 18-12 lead. However, a 6-0 Wildcat run would shift the momentum back to the visitors' bench. The match was tied at 19-19, 22-22 and 23-23. NMU capitalized on a WSU attack error and used back-to-back service aces to close the set and take the match.

Kristen Bulkiewicz (LaSalle, Ont. / Sandwich) led the Warriors with 10 kills while Madison Reeves (Indianapolis, Ind. / Avon) handed out 25 assists. Macy Steenhuysen (Grand Rapids, Mich. / East Kentwood) led the defense with 14 digs. Wayne State collected 15 total team blocks and hit .340 during the match.

The Green & Gold continue its four-match home stand with Michigan Tech on Saturday at 4 PM.