Huskies volleyball returns home looking to create some separation

Michigan Tech hosts Lake Superior State, Purdue Northwest

HOUGHTON -- With yet another five-set loss Tuesday, this time to the Northern Michigan Wildcats, and then a three-set sweep of the Wayne State Warriors, the Michigan Tech Huskies volleyball team held to its season record, improving to 7-7 overall and 3-3 in GLIAC play.

They are in need of a break in their schedule, and may have it this weekend, as the Huskies host Lake Superior State and Purdue Northwest, two teams that have a combined zero conference wins, and just five total wins between them.

"This is our opportunity to get a spread in our league again," said Huskies coach Cindy Pindral, who is in her second season at the helm. "I’m happy that we’re staying alive at .500. Wins are hard to come by in this league against any opponent, and we had a tough preseason schedule as well, so I’m happy.

"Of course, we had one or two that we wanted back, and we could be a little bit better at the moment, but we’re learning, we’re growing. We continue to rebound when there’s setbacks. So, that’s all good things that we’re training. We have a really big opportunity this weekend to kind of pull ahead, and give ourselves an advantage in the standings."

The Huskies are one of four teams tied at 3-3 and are the only team in conference who has defeated Saginaw Valley State, who sits alone in third at 5-1. But, none of that mattered Tuesday, when the Huskies could not sort out the Wildcats in five sets.

"That was a heartbreak of a match," Pindral said. "We played well for the majority of it. We had a couple moments where, of course, we wanted to have a few things back. I thought that we were pretty confident going into that match, and I’m not really sure what happened there. I feel like we tensed up kind of in some moments where we maybe shouldn’t have.

"I’m not really sure what happened in that match there. We had a lot of chances and then it just kind of slipped away from us."

That disappointment stuck with Pindral and the Huskies over the next two days.

"Big theme going into Wednesday’s practice was taking control of your situations," she said. "We had a good chat with every single person on the team collectively, and talking about like, 'All right, what are some ways that we can improve our mental toughness?' The biggest theme was practicing more like how you play. With injuries, a large group of freshmen, there’s been quite a few factors that I feel like our practices haven’t been super competitive, but the girls have expressed our practices need to be much more heated, much more competitive, so that we can flex that muscle, or at least practice that muscle when the time matters.

"So, I’m proud of them for taking a little bit of tough love from the coaching staff Wednesday, and a little bit of Thursday, and then responding really well over the weekend."

The Huskies rolled into Detroit Friday and then over the Warriors.

"I’m just really proud of them for showing up in a relaxed, but motivated, way on Friday," said Pindral. "Personally, I never know quite what to expect, because I’m not playing. We can prepare them as best we can, and we can hope that we’ve got the tools in place. But, you never quite know how it’s going to go.

"I’m just really proud that they were able to kind of flush Tuesday’s experience from their minds, or build from it. I think everyone took it a little bit differently, so I’m just really proud that they were able to play loose, play motivated, and really show up for that Friday match. That was an awesome match."

One key recent component has been the play of senior outside hitter Jacqueline Yancy and sophomore defensive specialist Madelyn Elsen. Both have come in the last two weeks, and found ways to contribute when they have been in the lineup.

"That’s been a very pleasant surprise the last couple of weeks," Pindral said. "To be honest, Jackie has had a pretty rough medical history in the last year, if not longer. She had shoulder surgery in December, and did the entire Spring of rehabbing. She didn’t take a full swing until maybe June or July of this Summer. So, she was rehabbing from that shoulder injury. We’re still in load management with her.

"I really want to shout out to Madelyn Elsen too, who came in after Brynn (Erickson) was unable to play. She’s been playing lights out as well. She’s small, but she covers a lot of ground and she puts up a really high quality pass. She’s got a very strong platform, so the ball goes to target more often than not."

Scouting the Lakers

The Lake Superior State Lakers come into this weekend 3-11 on the season, and 0-6 in GLIAC play after two sweeps at the hands of Wisconsin-Parkside and No. 1 Ferris State last weekend.

Sophomore outside hitter Elisa Rizzoli has been outstanding, racking up a team-high 109 kills. She has 30 more than teammate Shea Berisoff, who is a senior right side hitter. Rizzoli also leads the Lakers in aces with 11, one more than freshman defensive specialist Amilia Ashcroft.

Local fans will recognize one name on the Lakers' roster, junior middle blocker Giselle Wiitanen. She has two kills in five matches this season.

Scouting the Pride

The Purdue Northwest Pride are 2-11 this season, and 0-6 in GLIAC play after falling last weekend to Ferris State and Davenport in straight sets.

Senior outside hitter Anika Huelskamp leads the Pride offensively with 95 kills.

Two freshmen are driving the service game. Outside hitter Cecelia Goode and setter Addison Smith both have 11 aces each, more than twice the five that Huelskamp has.

Game times

The Huskies and Lakers will square off Friday at 4 p.m. at the SDC Gym. Saturday, the Huskies and Pride are set to start at 12 p.m.