MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team hit the road for the first time in the 2021 winter/spring season to open a two-match series with Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Northern Michigan University Friday in Marquette, Mich.

The Wildcats controlled the first two sets before SVSU rallied back with a win in the third. Northern Michigan closed the match out in a close fourth set to drop the Cardinals to 0-3 overall and 0-3 in the GLIAC to start the season.

The set scores were 25-14, 25-12, 21-25, 25-21.

Maria Vukaj led the SVSU attack with 15 kills, while Rylee Zimmer added seven kills and 10 digs. Juliana Dunning recorded a team-high 20 assists, while Libero Kelsey Vittitow added 17 digs.

The Wildcats were led by Jacqueline Smith with a match-high 22 kills.

The two teams conclude the weekend series at 3:30 pm Saturday in Marquette.