Huskies volleyball improves to 4-4 with strong showing in Colorado
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- With wins over St. Edward's Friday and Midwestern State Saturday, and a loss to South Dakota Mines Friday evening, the Michigan Tech Huskies volleyball team improved to 4-4 on the season after going 2-2 at the Mountain Lion Classic.
Huskies wrap up trip with sweep of Mustangs
The Huskies swept Midwestern State 3-0 to wrap up tournament play. The Huskies won 25-17, 25-20, and 26-24.
“It felt great finishing the weekend with a sweep,” Huskies coach Cindy Pindral said. “I’m very proud of how we came together and rallied for our final match in Colorado. Despite tired legs from our previous five-set matches this weekend, we focused on quality offense and first contact.
“We’re looking to continue this resilience going into conference play. After seeing many teams from outside our region, we are feeling confident heading into the regular season of conference play.”
The Huskies quickly built an eight-point lead and never trailed in the opening set. Junior outside hitter Rachel Zurek paced the Black and Gold with five kills.
Michigan Tech made a late surge in the second set, scoring five of the final six points to take the 2-0 lead at the break. Zurek put down six kills in the second while freshman outside hitter Reagan Lesley scored the winning point.
There were 13 ties and six lead changes in the third. The Huskies survived a setpoint and then scored three straight, with kills by Zurek and sophomore setter Madelynn Kreider, and then an attack error by Midwestern State was the 26-24 winner. Junior middle blocker Paige Wagner had six kills in the third on eight attempts.
Zurek finished with a match-high 17 kills. Wagner was also in double figures with 10 kills while hitting .421. Kreider set the attack with 28 assists and added 11 digs. Junior libero Keeley Nellis also tallied 11 digs.
Aubree Bunker led the Mustangs with 11 kills. Macy Scheer had 20 assists, and Jenna Redding tallied 14 digs.
Huskies split Friday matches in Colorado
The Huskies split a pair of five-set matches Friday. They opened the day with a win over St. Edward’s and fell to South Dakota Mines in the evening match.
Michigan Tech 3, St. Edward’s 2
The Huskies opened the day with a 3-2 victory over St. Edward’s from Austin, Texas. Michigan Tech won 25-18 in the first set, before the Hilltoppers took the next two 25-18 and 25-16. The Huskies forced a fifth set after a lengthy 29-27 win in the fourth and then earned the win with a 15-8 victory in the decisive fifth.
“We are so proud to have earned an incredibly hard-fought five-set win this morning,” Pindral said. “Our offense started out very hot, then we had trouble continuing that trend through sets two and three. Credit to St. Edward’s for scouting us well and putting a lot of pressure on our block and defense. A few huge momentum-shifting plays sparked a big battle in the fourth set, and our captains did a great job of inspiring a sense of belief that we can give ourselves a chance in this match. Rachel delivered a massive kill to start the fifth set, and we played great ball to close it out.
“This win means so much for our confidence, as we have had so many five-setters end differently this season.”
Zurek hit .341 and led the Huskies with 17 kills. Wagner hit .381 with 11 kills.
Freshman outside hitter Kayla Heinonen (13) and Lesley (11) also notched double-digit kills. Kreider set the attack with 44 assists and added 10 digs. Nellis led the squad with 21 digs, and senior defensive specialist Amelia Albers added 11.
South Dakota Mines 3, Michigan Tech 2
The evening set scores were flipped for the Huskies from the morning. South Dakota Mines won the first 25-22, before Michigan Tech won 25-19 in the second and 25-21 in the third. The Rockers forced a fifth set after a 25-20 victory in the fourth and then won in extra points in the fifth, 17-15. The match had 33 ties and 13 lead changes.
“It was another epic 5-set match. Apparently we like to give our fans their money’s worth,” added Pindral. “We played very well and battled hard against a very talented SD Mines team, who I imagine will knock off quite a few teams in their conference this year. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to close it out tonight, but we learned so much about how tough we can be. We will regroup for what should be another tough contest tomorrow.”
Zurek continued her strong play, tallying a career-best 24 kills while hitting .310. Wagner also had a career-high 15 kills and hit .419. Heinonen (14), senior middle blocker Tricia Kennedy (11), and Lesley (10) also hit double figures in kills.
Kreider hit the 60-assist mark for the second time in her career, tallying 62 assists and adding 12 digs. Nellis (14), senior defensive specialist Brynn Erickson (12), Albers (12), and Heinonen (10) also hit double figures in digs.
Up next
Michigan Tech jumps into GLIAC play next weekend at Davenport Friday and Saginaw Valley State Saturday.