MARQUETTE, Mich. — Parkside fell to Northern Michigan 3-1 Thursday night at Vandament Arena. After dropping the opening set, the Rangers evened the match with a second-set win before Northern Michigan took the final two sets for the victory.
Northern Michigan built an early advantage in the first set, but Parkside stayed within reach behind kills from
Monica Lukasiewicz,
Sierra Kilbourn,
Emily Zaper and
Maia Olson. A Zaper kill and back-to-back Northern Michigan errors helped the Rangers close within 15-13. Northern Michigan answered with a late run, extending its lead to 23-15 before taking the set 25-16.
Avary Polavin and Olson each added kills late in the frame for Parkside.
Parkside responded in the second set and used a balanced attack to take control. Kills from Kilbourn, Polavin and Lukasiewicz helped the Rangers build a 10-6 lead before extending the margin to 17-9. Zaper added a service ace during the run, while Parkside capitalized on several Northern Michigan attack errors. The Wildcats cut the deficit to 19-17, but kills by Lukasiewicz, Polavin, Kilbourn and Zaper helped Parkside close out a 25-21 set victory and even the match.
The third set remained close early, with kills from Zaper, Kilbourn,
Lucy Russ and Polavin helping Parkside stay level through the opening points. After the Rangers moved ahead 7-6, Northern Michigan answered with a 9-2 run to take control. A service ace by
Kalyn Schueller and late kills from Polavin, Zaper and Kilbourn brought Parkside within striking distance, but Northern Michigan held on for a 25-18 set win.
Parkside battled throughout the fourth set and tied the score at 10-10 behind kills from Lukasiewicz and Kilbourn. Northern Michigan then used a 7-1 run to open a six-point lead. The Rangers responded with four straight points, including a service ace from Olson and three Northern Michigan attack errors, to pull within 20-17. Polavin added two late kills, but Northern Michigan secured the final points needed to take the set 25-19 and the match.
Parkside was led by
Avary Polavin, who recorded a team-high 15 kills.
Sierra Kilbourn added 11 kills, while
Emily Zaper finished with eight kills, 38 assists, 13 digs and two service aces.
Lucy Russ posted 47 assists and 31 digs, and libero
Natalie Harris added 28 digs.
Monica Lukasiewicz chipped in six kills on a .357 hitting percentage for the Rangers.
Up Next
Up next, Parkside takes on Lewis University at 6 p.m. in Romeoville, Illinois, for a non-conference matchup.
For all things Parkside Volleyball, including links to live coverage, visit ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
