MIDLAND, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball program traveled across US-10 to their rival Northwood University Wednesday night. The Cardinals (3-7, 1-1 GLIAC) fell to the Timberwolves (10-1, 2-0 G-MAC) in three sets with scores of 25-23, 25-19, and 25-17.

Sarah Veale led in kills with nine while Sage Schumacher and Makaylah Roberts hit with high percentages with .375 and .294 respectfully. Schumacher also had five of the 16 block assists for SVSU. Elizabeth Bruschuk led with 15 digs as Veale, Rachel Townsend and Sedona Coon all had seven. Ava Beard played all three sets and had 30 assists.

Set One: The Cardinals got an early lead with a 5-1 run with kills by Roberts, Cola Sisk, and Coon to give the ma 9-5 lead. A 3-1 run and 4-0 run for Northwood flipped the lead as the Timberwolves went up by one. SVSU responded with a 5-1 run as Veale and Coon both got back-to-back kills and Sisk finished it off to go up by four. Momentum continued to swing as Northwood took the lead with a 6-0 run before Saginaw Valley took it back with a 5-1 run. The Timberwolves finished off the set with a 5-1 run to win by two.

Set Two: SVSU recorded the first point on an attack error before Northwood took the lead with a 3-0 run and never gave it up. After extending the lead to 13-6, SVSU had a 6-0 run with a kill from Schumacher and Townsend and two by Roberts cut the lead to one. A 4-1 run and 5-1 run extended the Northwood lead to five before claiming three of the final four points for the 2-0 advantage.

Set Three: It was the same storyline in set three as Saginaw Valley claimed the first point before losing the lead. Northwood used multiple 4-0 runs to apply pressure as SVSU broke up the runs with one to two points. A 5-0 run late extended the lead and reached match point at 24-13. The Cardinals answered with a 4-0 run before match point was scored for Northwood

Up Next: Saginaw Valley volleyball returns home as they host Wayne State (3-6, 1-1 GLIAC) Friday night at 7:00 PM EST. They also host No. 16 Grand Valley State on Saturday at 2:00 PM EST. Both matches are at the Hamilton Gymnasium at Saginaw Valley State University.