The tourney’s No. 3 seeded team, the Wildcats prevailed 25-16, 25-15, 20-25, 25-15 to advance to the semifinals against No. 2 Grand Valley State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday with a chance to get to the finals being held a day later.

The semifinals and finals are being held in Big Rapids by Ferris State, not only the event’s No. 1 seed, but also the undefeated No. 1 team in NCAA Division II at 29-0. Ferris takes on No. 5 seed Michigan Tech in Saturday’s other semifinal.

NMU improved to 20-8 overall after compiling a 13-4 regular-season GLIAC record as GVSU is 24-2 and 14-2.

Wednesday’s vanquished, No. 6 tourney seed Wisconsin-Parkside, finishes its season at 11-17 overall after compiling a 7-9 conference mark.

Northern Michigan University’s Caylie Barlage goes low and extend to make this dig during a GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal match played against Wisconsin-Parkside at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

Heading into the match, the Wildcats had previously defeated the Rangers twice this season, including a thrilling five-set win at home on Nov. 2. Their first meeting was a 3-0 Northern sweep in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sept. 20.

“We always talk in the locker room between Sets 2 and 3, and I always end up saying I want to walk in this locker room later, regardless of the result, saying we did everything we could to win this match,” NMU head coach Mike Lozier said. “In the fourth set, we said, ‘Hey, we’re not going to be denied this opportunity to go to the semis,’ and again, two fifth-years (players, Jacqueline Smith and Meghan Meyer) going out and doing the job is awesome.”

The Wildcats opened the match with Smith leading the charge, delivering Northern’s first two points on a pair of her match-high 20 kills. Parkside battled back early, briefly taking a 5-3 lead, but the Wildcats regained control thanks to a service ace from Caylie Barlage, one of her three.

Meyer, who finished with 15 kills and two blocks, capped a 7-1 run to give NMU an 11-7 lead, prompting a Parkside timeout.

Barlage was everywhere defensively, recording 24 digs to stifle the Rangers’ offense. Another 5-0 streak extended the Wildcats’ advantage to 18-13 as they easily reached 20 points first, a consistent theme throughout the night. From there Smith sealed the first set with a powerful spike, giving NMU an 1-0 sets lead.

Northern Michigan University’s Allie Barlow, left, and Meghan Meyer, right, block a kill attempt by Wisconsin-Parkside’s Marisa Lootens during their GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal match played at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

The Wildcats carried their momentum into the second set, with Smith again starting the scoring. Parkside stayed even for awhile, tying the game 9-9, but another ace from Barlage sparked a rally. Meyer delivered four consecutive kills to end a 6-0 spurt that put Northern in control.

Parkside took a timeout, but NMU continued to control the pace, extending its lead to 22-14. Madison York pushed the Wildcats to set point, and Barlage’s ace closed out the set.

Facing elimination, the Rangers came out strong in the third set, taking a 6-4 lead as NMU struggled to find consistency. Despite a late push by Smith, who also had 18 digs, and Meyer, who tallied crucial points, the Wildcats couldn’t close the gap and finish the sweep, instead sending the match to a fourth set.

Determined to avoid the race-to-15 in a fifth and determining set, the Wildcats came out firing. Meyer delivered a series of early kills to help NMU jump out to a 7-0 lead, prompting an early Parkside timeout.

Smith’s final kill of the night brought the Wildcats to match point, and Meyer ended the match with authority, giving NMU the four-set victory.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s semifinal matchup with Grand Valley, Lozier said his team is ready for the challenge.

“These are the matches you want to be a part of,” he said. “I don’t want to say I feel good necessarily, because they’re a really quality team, but I feel confident that we’re ready for this challenge…. I’m ready to play Grand Valley to see what we’re made of.”

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.