DETROIT - The Wayne State University volleyball team (14-4, 6-4 GLIAC) fell for the first time at home this season, losing a 3-1 decision to Northern Michigan University (11-7, 7-3 GLIAC) on Friday night at the Matthaei.

After dropping the first set, 25-20, the Wildcats won the next three (25-21, 25-22, 26-24) to extend their winning streak over the Warriors to 26 matches dating back to 1990.

Wayne State, wearing pink jerseys to "Dig for a Cure" in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held a 10-point lead late in the fourth set but could not hold off the NMU comeback, resulting in WSU losing consecutive matches for the first time this year.

Lauren Mallast (Chesterfield, Mich./Anchor Bay) and Kate Sak (Warren, Mich./Cousino) led the Warrior offense.  Mallast finished with 14 kills and a .353 hitting percentage, while Sak totaled a season-high 12 kills and hit at a .381 clip.

The Warriors took their first lead of the opening set at 12-11 and never trailed again, winning 25-20 to take a one-set advantage.  Sarha Gosselin (Harrison Twp., Mich./Warren Lincoln) and Sak combined for nine of WSU's 13 kills in the set.

NMU's Andrea Ring came off the bench in the second set and provided four kills in the Wildcats' 25-21 victory in the second set which evened the score.

Down 21-16 late in the third, Wayne State won six of the next seven points - aided by a pair of kills from Candis Jenich (Warren, Mich./Cousino), to tie it up at 22-22 before NMU rattled off three points in a row for a 25-22 win and a 2-1 overall lead.

The Warriors seemed in position to force a fifth set after establishing an 18-8 lead in the fourth.  The momentum swung significantly, however, and the Wildcats battled all the way back to take it to match point at 24-22.  Two NMU errors made it 24-24, but two subsequent WSU miscues capped off the Wildcat victory.

Jenich totaled 10 kills with seven digs, and Cydney Biessel (Ruby, Mich./Yale) finished with 38 assists and eight digs.  The Wayne State defensive effort was led by Gosselin and Maureen MacDonald (White Lake, Mich./Marian), who each racked up 15 digs, while Lindsey Graciak (Westland, Mich./Livonia Churchill) contributed a season-high 12.

Northern Michigan's Mandie Meyer led all players with 15 kills, including 11 in the final two sets.

Wayne State will host Michigan Tech at the Matthaei on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.