Volleyball Sweeps NMU Tuesday
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Northern Michigan (13-14, 4-9 GLIAC) | 18 | 18 | 11 | 0 |
|
Michigan Tech (13-13, 8-5 GLIAC) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team made quick work of Northern Michigan on Tuesday (Nov. 1) evening with a 3-0 sweep of the Wildcats from the SDC Gym. The Huskies improved to 13-13 overall and 8-5 in the GLIAC.
"I'm certainly pleased with the win," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "It's a big win for the conference standings as everything tightens up, and it certainly feels good to win against your rival at home. It's the first win over Northern here at home for our seniors and myself. It was a great team effort and we played well throughout large stretches of the game."
Much like the first meeting between the two teams in Marquette on September 27, the Huskies jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead. Tech controlled the middle portion of the first set with six straight points to win 25-18
The Huskies won the second frame 25-18 after building a 20-11 lead. The Wildcats got back into it with four straight points, but a pair of kills by Stephanie Dietrich put it out of reach, and MacAulay Petersen and Courtney Kurkie finished off the set with kills.
Unlike the first meeting, the Huskies didn't look back in the third, jumping out to an early 4-1 lead and quickly building it to 14-4. Tech scored the match's final seven points to secure the victory.
Aubrey Ficek was the lone player in the match to reach double-digit kills with 12, hitting .348. As a team, the Huskies hit .230 and held NMU to only .051. Rachel Pohlod had 28 assists, 11 digs, and five kills on nine attempts. MacAulay Petersen added seven kills, and Elle Heinonen led the defense with 14 digs.
"Aubrey is playing very spirited volleyball and is on a mission down the stretch of her senior season," added Jennings. "She's a tough player and she's done everything we've asked her to do."
Tech had 10 total blocks and 10 service aces. Lauren Emmert had four block assists while Dietrich added three. Heinonen and Halie Hart recorded three aces each.
NMU drops to 13-14 overall and 4-9 in the GLIAC. Megan Crane and Kayla Chosa led the Wildcats with eight kills each.
The Huskies are back at the SDC Gym this weekend for a pair of GLIAC matches against Northwood and Hillsdale. Friday's match against the Timberwolves begins at 7 p.m. with a 3 p.m. first serve against the Chargers Saturday.
"We're playing good ball right now," Jennings said. "We have an opportunity to host a playoff game if we continue to work hard. Northwood is capable of beating anybody and Hillsdale is a dangerous team. We'll take it one game at a time."
