Michigan Tech’s Olivia Ghormley (14) and Janie Grindland (19) celebrate during a game against Wayne State on Oct. 1 in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Spend seconds around Michigan Tech Huskies volleyball coach Matt Jennings and one thing becomes clear, he is wearing a smile from ear to ear.

With sweeps of Lewis and Hillsdale sandwiched around a five-set victory over Missouri S&T, Jennings’ Huskies finished the Midwest Regional Crossover with a 3-0 record, defeating the top teams in both the GLVC and the G-MAC in the process.

The Huskies, who are 15-4 overall, have won 14 of their last 15 matches. They have won all of their last 10, and sit atop the GLIAC standings heading into the second half.

“It meant a lot to us (to play well in the Crossover),” Jennings said. “It was an exceptionally fun weekend. The team came even closer together as we marched along, and I thought we played three good matches of volleyball, two probably very good. I think our Lewis and Hillsdale games were really strong. 

“It certainly was important for us regionally, and for the postseason. I think big picture-wise, it was just a really great win for our team, and in our program, and an opportunity for us to prove to ourselves that we’re capable of doing.”

The Huskies came into the match against Flyers at 12-4 on the season. In the first set, the Huskies edged them, 25-23. In the second, the teams went beyond the normal score at 28-26. At that point, the Huskies took control of the match and cruised to a 25-12 win in the third set.

“I think we discouraged them by stealing the first set,” Jennings said. “They were up and in control in the first set, and we came in the back door and stole that game. Second set, we held them off very well, defensively, and our offense came up with the plays at the right time. 

“Then, I think, the momentum changed and just shifted. After picking up that second set win, I think we had them a little bit demoralized, and a little bit out of sorts. Then we just ran with it. We felt as confident as could be after going in after the second set. It was great.”

Fifth year outside hitter Olivia Ghormley, who earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors for her efforts, led the way for the Huskies with 15 kills in the match. Over the course of the weekend, she broke the school record for career kills, as she surpassed Kristen Schuster’s career total of 1,546.

For Jennings, the impact Ghormley has on the team, given the offense she brings, is big, but her impact on younger players like sophomore outside hitter Lindy Oujiri is perhaps more important.

“She (Ghormley) broke the all time kill record over the weekend, which speaks volumes to where Liv is at, what Liv has done,” said Jennings. “I’ve said this over and over, but I think anytime Liv’s in the game, our chances of success are going to be higher. She’s come along just fine, contributing in a way that we need her to as a veteran senior.

“Really, to see her not only play well, and have an impact on the outcome, but also to have her influence Lindy has been fabulous. I mean, her influence on Lindy, she’s been such a great teammate and like a mentor for her. It’s been a lot of fun to see.”

In the second match, the Huskies fell behind early, evened things in the second set, only to fall behind again after three sets. They then won the last two sets to win the match, with the fifth set ending at 15-13 in favor of the Black and Gold. The win was the first five-set victory for the Huskies this season.

Ghormley only played in two sets, getting three kills. Oujiri stepped in and racked up seven. Also chipping in was fifth year outside hitter Anna Jonynas, who had 16 kills, and junior middle blocker Morgan Radtke, who had 14 while chipping in two solo blocks and two more block assists.

“Lindy stepped up big,” said Jennings. “Morgan was huge in that game. I mean, Morgan’s ability to come up both in the Hillsdale, but also in the S&T game, was huge. What she did was very important to that success in that S&T game. Our passing was a little off that game, which necessitated it a little bit. It just required a little bit more pressure put on the outsides, which they, I think, got through, but I think the depth where we flexed there, was in Lindy and Morgan.”

Against the Chargers, the Huskies flipped their script from the Lewis match in that they cruised to the opening set win, 25-15, before fighting hard to take each of the next two, 25-23 and 27-25.

Jennings felt that the Huskies started very strong, but lost the momentum to the Chargers the longer the match went. 

“That’s where maybe I’m most proud of is that, (in the) second and third set, kind of holding Hillsdale where they were and taking control at the end, when we needed to, because they were definitely the momentum was shifting towards them as the match went on. We came up with some big, big plays and some tough stops late in the match, that really sealed the deal for us.”

Huskies hit the road

The Huskies return to action this weekend as they travel to face the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers and the Purdue Northwest Pride, the two teams they have yet to see this season. 

The Rangers come into the weekend at 7-12 overall and 3-4 in GLIAC play. However, they have beaten Minnesota State twice and lost twice to Minnesota-Duluth, including one in five sets.

The Pride have just two wins in 17 matches this season and sit last in the GLIAC at 0-8. Their two wins have both come against Lake Erie.

The match against the Rangers is set to start at 7 p.m. Friday. Saturday’s match with the Pride is scheduled for 3 p.m.