CHICAGO — Playing their third match this week, the Michigan Tech Huskies volleyball team finally broke through with a sweep of the Roosevelt Lakers on the road. With the win, the Huskies improved to 9-14 overall and 6-6 in GLIAC play.

Huskies sweep Roosevelt in the Windy City

The Huskies wrapped up a busy week with a 3-0 sweep of Roosevelt at the Goodman Center. The Huskies won 25-21, 25-15, and 25-23.

“It was a nice team win for us today in front of a great away Husky crowd,” Huskies coach Cindy Pindral said. “I’m proud of the team for playing to win and applying the feedback our coaching staff has been giving. Our backcourt defense was the most disciplined we have seen in a while, and our offense was unstoppable at the right times. We need to carry this positive momentum into our final two home weekends coming up.”

Michigan Tech jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the opening set and led by as many as eight before the Lakers made a push to tie it and take a lead at 18-17. The Huskies then closed out the set with a 6-2 run of their own to win 25-21. Five different Huskies had at least two kills with junior right side hitter Rachel Zurek leading the way with five.

The Huskies never trailed in the second, winning 25-15. Zurek again added five kills, and Michigan Tech hit .257 and forced 13 errors on the other side of the net.

The third set had 15 ties and seven lead changes. Michigan Tech led by as many as four, but the home Lakers wouldn’t go away. Tied at 23, Roosevelt had an attacking error and then the Huskies sealed the win with a block by junior middle blocker Tricia Kennedy and senior outside hitter Brooke Dzwik.

For the third straight set, the five Huskies put down at least two kills.

While offensively, the Huskies were spread out, Pindral praised the play of freshman setter Madelynn Kreider, who finished with 36 assists and 10 digs, along with one kill.

“Maddy Kreider set an excellent game and distributed the ball well to all of our attackers,” added Pindral. “She played great defense with quality block touches and some clutch digs. Her net play was great as well and she made some huge saves.”

Pindral was also pleased with how Zurek performed, working into all six rotations.

“Rachel did a nice job playing six-rotation outside today, and held her own in defense and serve receive,” Pindral said. “Her offense was huge and she is really starting to develop a solid all-around game.”

Fifth-year libero Alanyna Corwin stepped in for senior libero Julia Fledderjohn, and performed well, grabbing 10 digs.

“Alayna came in as a relief libero, and provided momentum-building sparks with hustle plays while passing dimes,” said Pindral. “I’m proud of her for stepping up in a big way for us today.”

Zurek had a match-high 13 kills. Dzwik tallied a match-high 14 digs, while Corwin was also in double figures in digs.

Volleyball drops road match at Parkside

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Huskies dropped a 3-0 match at Wisconsin-Parkside on Friday. The Rangers took the GLIAC contest, 26-24, 25-20, and 25-23.

“We got out played and out hustled, which is disappointing after playing such a quality match on Tuesday,” Pindral said. “We talk all the time about ‘controllables’ like energy and effort, but we did not live up to our standards this evening. We have no choice but to rebound and take it out on our opponent tomorrow.”

The Huskies led for most of the opening set before the Rangers made a late rally, surviving through three setpoints and winning in extras 26-24. Zurek had five kills in set one.

There were eight ties and four lead changes early in the second. The Rangers used a 14-5 run in the middle of the frame to take control and won 25-20. Zurek continued her strong play with six kills.

The third set was tight again with eight ties and three lead changes. Tied at 20-all, the home team scored three straight and then held a setpoint lead at 24-22. The teams traded serving errors before Sierra Kilbourn sealed the straight set win with a kill.

Zurek led the offense with 13 kills. Kreider set the attack with 31 assists and was the lone Husky with double-digit digs with 10.

“Rachel had a nice match offensively and had some clutch big swings,” added Pindral.

Up next

Michigan Tech returns home for the final four matches of the regular season, starting next weekend against Davenport and Ferris State.