UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The 2021 winter/spring season opened for the Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team with a matchup against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Northwood University Friday at Hamilton Gymnasium.

The Timberwolves took control early with wins in the first two sets. Tied at 19-19 in the third, Northwood took six of the final seven points to earn the three-set win over the Cardinals (0-1, 0-1 GLIAC).

Junior Maria Vukaj led the Cardinal attack with nine total kills. She tied for the team-high with 12 digs on defense, while freshman Kelsey Vittitow added 12 digs in her SVSU debut. Junior Addison Bouza finished with nine digs and Emily Friesl had a team-high two blocks.

Juliana Dunning recorded a team-high 10 assists in her first match for SVSU.

Mackenzie Kepler led the Timberwolves with a match-high 12 kills. Macy Lintz finished with 40 assists and Venera Kadriu led the defense with 13 digs for Northwood.

The Cardinals and Timberwolves close the weekend series at 1 pm Saturday at Hamilton Gymnasium.