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Huskies volleyball advances with defeat Panthers in GLIAC quarterfinal
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Michigan Tech Huskies volleyball team advanced to the GLIAC semifinals after a 3-1 victory over the Davenport Panthers during quarterfinal play Wednesday. The fifth-seeded Huskies won, 25-22, 21-25, 25-17, and 25-18, over the fourth-seeded Panthers to improve to 15-13 overall.
“It was an awesome win for us to prove that we belong with the top dogs in our conference,” Huskies coach Cindy Pindral said. “Everyone contributed to this one, but a special nod to our defenders who came up with incredible saves to keep us alive. Keeley Nellis was a monster and had a phenomenal performance, and Madelyn Elsen was a silent assassin from the end line with a huge serving run at the end to close it out.
"I am so proud of this team, and we are ready to go into the next round of playoffs.”
The Huskies never trailed in the opening set and jumped out to an early seven-point lead. The Panthers closed it to within one at 23-22 before Michigan Tech got a point on an attacking error and then a sophomore setter Madelynn Kreider ace for a 1-0 lead. Senior outside hitter Rachel Zurek had five kills in the first.
Davenport tied it up in the second, overcoming 13 ties and three lead changes and scoring the final four points of the set. Junior middle blocker Paige Wagner put down five kills on six attempts, but the Huskies had eight attacking errors as a team.
Michigan Tech had a balanced attack in the third set as five different players had at least two kills. Davenport hit -.054, and the Huskies led four early and by as many as eight late.
The Huskies trailed 15-13 in the fourth before closing the match on a 12-3 rally to advance in the tournament. Wagner had six kills in the fourth, including the winner.
Wagner finished with a match-high15 kills while hitting .480. Zurek (13) and freshman outside hitter Kayla Heinonen (10) were also in double figures offensively, while freshman right side hitter Regan Lesley added eight kills and 11 digs. Kreider set the attack with 42 assists and added 13 digs.
Junior libero Keeley Nellis racked up a career-best 40 digs.
The Panthers were led by Karley Pretzer with 12 kills, Keira Dommer with 22 assists, and Hayley Carr with 21 digs.
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Michigan Tech will be making its 14th all-time appearance in the conference semifinals and will play the nation’s No. 1 team, Ferris State, on its home court. First serve is at 4 p.m. in the first semifinal. Grand Valley State and Northern Michigan will meet in the late semifinal at Bulldog Arena.