Volleyball Sweeps SVSU 3-0 To Open GLIAC Play

OVERVIEW – SAGINAW VALLEY

SCORES: Northwood Timberwolves 3, Saginaw Valley State Cardinals 0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-18)
RECORDS: Northwood (1-7, 1-0 GLIAC), Saginaw Valley (6-3, 0-1 GLIAC)
LOCATION: Hamilton Gymnasium – University Center, Mich.
RECAP: Northwood picks up their first victory of the season in style, defeating rival Saginaw Valley 3-0 to open GLIAC play Friday night (September 20).

INSIDE THE MATCH - SAGINAW VALLEY

• Northwood set the tone for the opening set right from the start, scoring the first seven points of the match. SVSU cut the lead down to three at 14-11 before the Timberwolves scored the next five points before closing out a 25-16 win. NU had the big edge on offense in the set, hitting .333 (13-4-27). Saginaw Valley finished the opening set at .000 (0-0-34).
• The Timberwolves got off to another strong start in the second set, going up 8-3 after 11 points. SVSU responded with an 8-3 run of their own to tie the score. That proved to be the last tie of the set, however, as Northwood scored six of the next seven point on their way to a 25-20 win. The set saw both defenses be the story – NU hit .047 (12-10-43) while Saginaw Valley finished at .029 (7-6-25).
• The final set was evenly played until a late Northwood push. After 30 points in the third, the score was tied 15-15 and largest lead for either team was three points. That is when the Timberwolves made their final run to close out the sweep, scoring nine of the next 11 points. Northwood eventually won the set 25-18 and the match 3-0. NU had its best offensive set of the night in the third, hitting .400 (16-4-30). SVSU finished the final set at .129 (10-6-31).

MATCH STATS

• HITTING: Northwood: .230 (41-18-100), Saginaw Valley: .050 (27-22-100) 
• DIGS: Northwood 46 (Lauren Bell – 12), Saginaw Valley 36
• BLOCKS: Northwood 10 (Mary Gallagher – 6), Saginaw Valley 3
• ACES: Northwood 7 (Grace Rekeweg/Carson Rutherford – 2), Saginaw Valley 3

TOP NU PERFORMERS

• Rutherford: 10 kills, seven digs, two aces, .348 attack percentage (10-2-23)
• Rekeweg: 10 kills, two aces, three block
• Gallagher: Five kills, six blocks
• Karlie Wengorovius: Seven kills, three blocks
• Macy Lintz: 34 assists, seven digs (season-debut)

UP NEXT

• Northwood will travel to Lake Superior State Saturday afternoon (September 21). Match time is set for 2 p.m.