Volleyball Earns 3-1 Win Over Findlay In GLIAC Quarterfinals

The Northwood University volleyball team advanced to the GLIAC Semifinals with a 3-1 win over Findlay Wednesday night (November 14).  Set scores were 25-10, 23-25, 25-13, 27-25.

Northwood improves to 24-6 overall with the win. Findlay's season comes to end at 14-17 overall.

With the win, Northwood will host the GLIAC Semifinals and Finals this Saturday and Sunday (November 17-18).

The Timberwolves came out fast in the opening set, scoring the final 10 points to take the set 25-10.  Northwood hit .367 (15-4-30) while holding the Oilers to a -.100 (3-6-30).

In the second set, the match changed dramatically.  Northwood's attack percentage dropped to .103 (11-7-39).  Findlay's offense also improved, as they hit .136 (14-8-44).  The Timberwolves trailed for most of the set, but rallied back to tie things up at 22-22.  But the Oilers scored three of the final four points to even the match 1-1.

Northwood came back strong in the third set, scoring eight of the first 11 points to take control early.  The Timberwolves eventually led 20-9 before cruising to a 25-13 win and a 2-1 lead.

The fourth set was close throughout, but Northwood used a big finish to clinch the match.  With Northwood trailing 25-24, sophomore Juliia Pakhomenko (Donetsk, Ukraine) registered three straight kills to give Northwood the win.

For the match, Northwood hit .207 (57-26-150), compared to .070 for the Oilers (36-26-142).  The Timberwolves also finished with a 72-53 advantage in digs and an 8-3 edge in aces.

Pakhomenko led the way for the Timberwolves, finishing with 23 kill, 12 digs and two aces.  Zina Liubymova (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine) added 12 kills and 20 digs.

Northwood will host Ashland in the first GLIAC Semifinal Saturday.  First serve is set for 4 p.m.  Grand Valley State will take on Wayne State in the other semifinal at 6:30 p.m.