Huskies Fall to Hillsdale College in Season Opener

HILLSDALE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team fell in a close 3-2 match at Hillsdale College in its season opener and first match at the Hillsdale Tournament.

The Huskies took the lead, winning the first two sets 29-27 and 25-23, but ultimately lost momentum in the third set, losing 25-20. Hillsdale took control in the fourth set (25-21) and finished the fifth match (15-7).

"I give credit to Hillsdale for coming all the way back," said head coach Matt Jennings. "They got better as the match went on and we started to play tight, hesitate and compound our mistakes."

Outside hitter MacAulay Petersen pounded down 15 kills for the Huskies and freshman, Olivia Ghormley, tallied 13 kills followed by Mariah Sherman (9) and Lauren Emmert (8).

"Offensively, we started pretty strong but simply stopped executing early in set three and made some costly mistakes that Hillsdale took advantage of," added Jennings. "Olivia and MacAulay were solid on the outside most of the night and Mariah was strong at the net as well."

Laura DeMarchi set the offense with 44 assists while tallying 20 digs. Elle Heinonen led the team defensively with 24 digs while freshmen Anna Jonynas (19) and Megan Utlak (10) also had double digits digs.

"Defensively, we were pretty solid and I thought Elle and Anna really stood out back for us," Jennings said. "Kristine came in and gave us some life with her serving in the third set, but like the other runs we had in the later sets, it was too little too late."

The Huskies will power on in the tournament and are scheduled for their second match of the season Friday vs. Indianapolis. 

"It was clearly not the outcome we wanted, but we have no choice but to pick ourselves up and get ready to play a good Indy team tomorrow," Jennings said. "We weren't bad tonight, they just out played us. We'll be better tomorrow."

First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m. The Huskies then continue in the tournament Saturday morning at 10 a.m. vs. Glenville State and at noon vs. Findlay immediately following.