MARQUETTE - The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team moved into fourth place in the GLIAC overall standings, claiming its sixth consecutive victory with a 3-2 win over the Northern Michigan University Wildcats on Saturday afternoon (11/1).
Northern started the match by taking the opening set by a score of 27-25 to jump out to the 1-0 lead but the Cards evened things quickly, claiming the second frame by a 25-19 edge to make the score 1-1.
SVSU had a big third set, using a .308 hitting percentage to win the frame by a score of 25-15 and extend its lead to 2-1.
Northern would work its way back and take the fourth set by a score of 25-23 in a game that the Cards fought back from a deficit and had the score tied at 20-20. That would send the match to a fifth set to decide it all.
Saginaw Valley would prove too much in the fifth and final frame, posting a 15-11 victory to seal the 3-2 match win.
The victory improves SVSU's overall record to 16-8 with a 12-4 mark in the GLIAC. Northern falls to 12-13 overall with the same 12-4 record in league play. The victory slides SV just ahead of the Wildcats for the fourth spot overall in the GLIAC with two matches remaining for both teams.
Sophomore setter Kelly Vellucci had a huge game for SVSU, as she posted 49 assists and 22 digs while adding six kills on 11 attempts (.545). The 22 digs mark a career-high for her and she was named the Chili's "Player of the Match for her performance."
Junior libero Brooke Tiller had a team-high 28 digs while freshman Tamara Heller had another solid game on the defensive end, adding a career-high 22 digs herself.
Senior Makenzie Frodle helped lead the offensive charge for SV, as she hit .500, recording 17 kills and adding three blocks. Fellow senior Kelsey Ferla had a match-best 23 kills with 15 digs.
"Great defensive effort again, with several players earning double-digit digs," stated SVSU head coach Will Stanton. "Our offense and blocking were both solid, but we gained a ton of momentum from our defensive effort and hustle."
Saginaw Valley has two more regular season games remaining, both being on the road. The Cardinals will travel to face Grand Valley State on Friday (11/7) at 7:00 pm before finishing the 2014 regular season slate with a 5:00 pm match at Ferris State the following day. Both opponents currently sit atop the league standings.