The opponent may have looked a little different, but the result was still the same Thursday night.
Northern State swept past the University of Mary for the second time this season, collecting a 25-11, 25-19, 25-18 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference volleyball victory at Wachs Arena.
The two had previously met on Sept. 1 at a tourney in Chadron, Neb. The Wolves knew that their opponent had changed some things from the prior contest.
“It’s just trying to be a little better us. They’re a little different than when we played them,” said Northern coach Brent Aldridge. “We are not any different than when we played them in Chadron.”
Even though UMary came into the match with a 5-12 record, the Wolves knew they couldn’t overlook their opponent.
“It doesn’t matter where the team is in the (standings),” said NSU senior Natalia Szybinska. “We just always give our best and I think that was our mentality.”
The Wolves went into the match preparing for just like any other opponent, but did have more of an advantage having already played the Marauders.
“I think it was similar to how we prepare for other teams as in going through the same scouting report, understanding the same type of film,” said Northern setter Ava Nilsson. “But it also gave us comfort knowing that we knew some of their tendencies coming in, but we also had to take the time to learn the new tendencies that they progress throughout the season with.”
And one of those tendencies that the Wolves picked up on from the first time was the Marauders’ ability to return a certain type of serve. The Wolves targeted that early on with Nilsson getting an ace for the second point of the game, and Northern finishing with seven total aces on the night.
“We wanted to drive it flat because they like to use their hands. Abby Schauer actually got an ace out of a timeout, because we were watching film on (number) 20 and she will use her hands. Well, it’s hard to use your hands below your waist,” Aldridge said. “It worked, so we did get a little return on our practice investment and we hope for that.”
While not all serves end in an ace, Northern was able to keep the Marauders on their heels, slowing down their offensive attack with an aggressive serve. As a result, the Wolves were able to run the offense that they wanted.
“I think if we can focus on the serving and get them out of system, then they can’t run the quicker routes that obviously score for them oftentimes,” said Nilsson.
It also helps when the Wolves are able to attack efficiently. Northern hit .344 on the night, with Szybinska leading the way hitting .667%. Syzbinska emphasized how important it is to be efficient when swinging at the net.
“I think it’s very important because especially when you are at the net, you don’t wanna lose a point because of your mistake. Yes, they can win the point, but after they would make something good,” Szybinska said. “We can’t as a team allow the opposing team to make points out of our mistakes. We need to pressure them that they need to make a good point.”
Szybinska finished with 10 kills on the night, just behind Linnea Nesheim’s 13 kills. Katelyn Schroeder ended the night with eight.
Nilsson said it’s ideal to have multiple hitting options to set to.
“Oh, it’s the best. I’m so blessed with the hitters that I get to set every day. They come to practice every day trying to work hard and trying to get better,” Nilsson said. “And if a set’s bad, they’re not afraid to be like ‘Hey, that was low,’ and they never say it in a bad way. It’s just super fun to have all those options.”
Nilsson even got it on the action herself as she saw a chance with a ball right over the net, and took it, recording a kill on the night.
“Yeah, that was all luck. … Don’t mess this up,” Nilsson said. “It was awesome.”
Playing in a rare Thursday night match, the Wolves had to prepare on a short week, and will have to practice cautiously as they play three matches in five days. They are on the road at Minot on Saturday, and on the road once again at Jamestown, N.D. on Tuesday.
“Lighter practices and just taking very quality touches when we’re in the gym instead of being in the gym for hours,” Nilsson said. “And then also just putting in your own work off the court, so watching film, taking care of your body. Doing all the little things right, so when you step on the court, you can perform well.”
With plenty of volleyball ahead, the Wolves know they have some ground to make up in a highly competitive conference.
“I think we’re getting better. I hope we’re getting better, because that’s the main focus and then can we stay healthy? I think if we do those things, we can put a nice little run together here at the end,” Aldridge said. “If we’re good in what we do, we don’t have to be anything better than who we are.”
To see a complete box score, click on the following link:
https://nsuwolves.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2025/umary/boxscore/14026
