MARQUETTE, Mich. - Picking up a critical victory in its quest for a fourth straight berth in the GLIAC Tournament, the Wayne State University volleyball team (13-13, 9-9 GLIAC) defeated Northern Michigan University (14-12, 11-6 GLIAC) in five sets Friday night at Vandament Arena.

Wayne State trailed two sets to one (23-25, 25-22, 23-25) before a 25-21 triumph in the fourth set and a 15-9 victory in the fifth, as the Warriors defeated an NMU squad which was 8-2 at home this season entering Friday's match.

Kristen Bulkiewicz (LaSalle, Ont./Sandwich) earned her 13th double-double of the season and her fifth in the last six matches.  She finished with 17 kills and 21 digs, along with five blocks and a pair of service aces.

Madie Kent (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./North), who contributed four aces, also had a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs, as did Cydney Biessel (Ruby, Mich./Yale) with 39 assists and 10 digs.  Nicole Arends (Ravenna, Mich.) hit .353 with eight kills.

The victory did not come easy for the Warriors, as the match featured 42 ties and 24 lead changes over the five sets.

Last November, Wayne State was victorious over Northern Michigan for the first time since 1990 and in the process secured home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.  Friday night's win over the Wildcats was crucial as now a win Saturday at Michigan Tech, coupled with a Findlay loss this weekend, ensures WSU will play in the GLIAC Tournament for the fourth consecutive season.

The Warriors and Huskies will meet Saturday at 4:00 p.m.