Volleyball Posts Seventh Straight Win - Timberwolves down Malone 3-1

The Northwood University volleyball team earned its seventh straight win Saturday afternoon (September 29), defeating Malone 3-1. Set scores were 23-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-16.

Northwood improves to 12-3 overall, 7-0 in the GLIAC. Walsh falls to 7-6 overall, 3-4 in the GLIAC.

The first set was tight throughout until a final push by Malone gave them a 1-0 lead. The score was tied 22-22, but the Pioneers scored three of the final four points to take the set. Malone hit .267 (12-4-30) while holding Northwood to a .194 clip (11-5-31).

The Timberwolves had the exact same hitting numbers in the second set (11-5-31), but the NU defense stepped up to even things up. Malone was held to a .108 clip (10-6-37) in the second.

Northwood's offense was the story of the final two sets, as the Timberwolves hit at least .400 to earn the win. NU finished at .400 in the third (13-3-25) before registering a .483 clip in the final set (17-3-29). Malone was held to a .182 (8-4-22) and .167 (9-4-30) mark in the final two sets, respectively.

Overall, Northwood finished with a .310 attack percentage (52-16-116) while Malone finished at .176 (39-18-119). Northwood out-dug Malone 50-42 and held a 14-3 edge in service aces.

Juliia Pakhomenko (Donetsk, Ukraine) led the way for Northwood, finishing with match-highs in kills (16) and digs (11). She also hit .500 for the match (16-2-28). Zina Liubymova (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine) had 11 kills, three blocks and three aces, while Kristin Perschon (Schaumburg, Ill./Conant) finished with nine kills and zero errors on 16 attempts (.562) while adding three blocks.

"Malone plays with a lot of confidence and effort," said Head Coach Tim Koth. "You can't rely on them to make mistakes – you have to go out there and play well to beat them. We did a nice job of that after the first set."

Northwood will host Findlay Friday night (October 5). First serve is set for 7 p.m.