The Wildcats of Northern Michigan University avenged their lone loss on the season this evening in Fayette as part of the 2015 Peacock Open.  NMU controlled the first and fourth sets on the way to a 3-1 victory over Upper Iowa to improve to 5-1 on the season.  Last weekend, at their home tournament, the Wildcats dropped a five-set decision to the Peacocks.  With the loss, UIU falls to 4-3 on the season.  

Northern Michigan won the first set 25-17 thanks to a .344 hitting percentage.  While the Wildcat offense was clicking, the Peacocks struggled to put the ball down and had as many kills as errors in the first frame.

The offense picked up a bit in the second set, but the defense gave the Peacocks their opportunities forcing the Wildcats into 10 hitting errors.  Upper Iowa worked out to a 19-15 lead after the score was tied at 12-12, but Northern Michigan rallied to tie the set at 21-21 thanks to a 7-2 run. UIU had two set points at 24-23 and 26-25, but NMU fought back and to claim the set 29-27.

After the break, the Peacocks came on the court and dominated the third set, 25-18.  The team hit .412 with 16 kills and only a pair of hitting errors.  Six different Peacocks registered kills in the set led by Sarah Frisch (4), Lauren Wombles (4) and Miranda LeJeune (3). UIU also grabbed three team blocks in the set including a solo and assisted block from Wombles.

The Wildcats ran away with the fourth set after an early 5-5 tie to claim a 25-14 win and the match.

Frisch and Wombles combined for 18 kills (9 apiece) with no hitting errors while both registering more than a .500 hitting percentage. Jennifer Mundt added 11 kills. Jenna Hermsen recorded 41 assists, while Taylor Williams picked up 19 digs.  

Kayla Chosa (17 kills and 6 blocks)  led the NMU offense, which was paced by Jami Hogeboom and her 52 assists.  The Wildcat libero Alex Berger posted 20 digs to frustrate the Peacock hitters.

Upper Iowa will line up against Minot State University at 1 p.m. and then face off against St. Cloud State University at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday to close out the 2015 Peacock Open.