Volleyball Defeats Saginaw Valley 3-1

OVERVIEW – SAGINAW VALLEY

SCORES: Northwood Timberwolves 3, Saginaw Valley State Cardinals 1 (20-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-18)
RECORDS: Northwood (7-7, 1-5 GLIAC), Saginaw Valley (3-11, 2-4 GLIAC)
LOCATION: Hamilton Gymnasium – University Center, Mich.
RECAP: Northwood bounces back after dropping the opening set to earn a 3-1 win at Saginaw Valley Friday night (September 29)

INSIDE THE MATCH

• Northwood led the opening set 12-8 before SVSU responded with a run. The Cardinals scored 13 of the next 15 points to open up a 21-14 advantage on their way to a 25-17. NU hit just .040 in the set (8-6-50) while Saginaw Valley finished at .122 (14-8-49).
• The Cardinals started the second set strong as well, going up 8-4 early. SVSU led by as many as five and were up 18-14 late when NU went on a key push. Northwood scored seven of the next eight points to go back on top 21-19. SVSU did eventually go back on top 24-22, but NU fought off a pair of set points and eventually scored the final four points of the set to win 26-24. Both teams hit a similar percentage in the second set – NU finished at .100 (11-7-40) compared to SVSU at .105 (13-9-38).
• Northwood carried the momentum from the second set by controlling play in the third. SVSU led 12-11 before NU posted seven straight points to go up 18-12. The Timberwolves went on to win 25-18, thanks to a strong offensive set. Northwood hit .323 (13-3-31). The Cardinals ended up at .028 (9-8-41).
• Saginaw Valley jumped out with four of the first five points of the fourth set. The Timberwolves bounced back – the score ended up tied 12-12. At that point, Northwood put up 10 of the next 12 points to go up 22-14 on their way to a 25-18 win to close out the match. Neither team's offenses performed well in the fourth – NU hit .086 (11-8-35) while SVSU finished at -.098 (7-11-41).

MATCH STATS

• HITTING: Northwood: .122 (43-24-156),  Saginaw Valley: .043 (43-36-164) 
• DIGS: Northwood 74 (Allison Getty – 20),  Saginaw Valley 74
• BLOCKS: Northwood 10.0 (Mary Gallagher – 8, Saginaw Valley 11.0
• ACES: Northwood 6 (Mackenzie Kepler/Brenna Murphy – 2),  Saginaw Valley 3

TOP NU PERFORMERS

• Carson Rutherford: 11 kills, three blocks, 12.5 points
• Getty: Eight kills, 20 digs, five blocks
• Mary Gallagher: Six kills, eight blocks
• Jones: 38 assists
• Murphy: 19 digs, two aces

UP NEXT

• Northwood will travel to Lake Superior State Saturday (September 30). Match time is set for 2 p.m.