Volleyball Opens Season By Splitting Matches At Florida Southern

The Northwood University volleyball team opened their 2013 season by splitting a pair of matches at the Florida Southern Terrace Hotel Classic Friday (September 6).  NU dropped a 3-0 match to No. 2 Tampa (27-25, 25-22, 25-12) before earning a 3-1 victory over Florida Southern (25-23, 26-24, 17-25, 25-20).

In the opening match against the team that finished runner-up in the NCAA Championships a year ago, the first two sets were tight throughout.  The first set was tied 25-25 before Tampa scored the final two points to earn the1-0 lead.  Tampa then took control of the second set in the final points after the Spartans led 20-19.

After taking the opening two sets in close fashion, Tampa dominated the final set, opening up a 5-1 lead early and not looking back.  NU got no closer than three points the rest of the way.

Tampa hit .358 for the match (46-12-95) while holding Northwood to a .158 clip (38-23-95).  Juliia Pakhomenko (Donetsk, Ukraine) led all players with 12 kills.  Jordan Dunn (Bowling Green, Ohio) had a match-high 29 assists to go with six kills on seven attempts (.714).

Northwood then took on Florida Southern, a team receiving votes in the latest AVCA Poll, on their home court in the night cap.  The Timberwolves were the team that pulled out the close sets in this contest, taking the opener 25-23 before going up 2-0 after a 26-24 win in the second.  After FSC took the third set, Northwood responded to an early deficit to claim the match.  The Timberwolves scored the final four points of the match to close out the Mocs.

Neither team hit particularly well in the match, as FSC finished at .145 (52-24-193) while Northwood hit .116 (47-26-181).  Serving proved to be a key part of the match, as the Timberwolves had two more aces (5-3) and five fewer errors (13-8).

Pakhomenko led all players with 17 kills.  He also added 16 digs and three aces and a pair of blocks.  Cassandra Marsh (Maumee, Ohio) had eight kills and a .421 attack percentage, while Dunn finished with 36 assists and 21 digs.  Libero Elizabeth Barker (Williamsburg, Ind./Northeastern ) had a match-high 28 digs.

"We played two elite teams today and are pleased with the progress we made," said head coach Tim Koth.  "We have lots to work on but we have a chance to be very good."

Northwood will finish the event with a pair of matches Saturday (September 7).  Northwood will take on Anderson (SC) at 10 a.m. before facing Belmont Abbey at 5:30 p.m.