Two Huskies Receive GLIAC Awards, Four Named All-GLIAC
HOUGHTON, Mich. – A number of Michigan Tech volleyball players have received GLIAC honors as Olivia Ghormley and Laura DeMarchi have been named the GLIAC Attacker and Setter of the Year, respectively. Additionally, DeMarchi, Ghormley, and Mariah Sherman have been named All-GLIAC First Team, while Megan Utlak received All-GLIAC Honorable Mention recognition.
A sophomore from Milan, Italy, DeMarchi repeats as GLIAC Setter of the Year after posting 1,140 assists and averaging 11.88 assists per set in 96 sets this season, ranking her first in the GLIAC and third in the country in assists per set. DeMarchi, who was also named All-GLIAC First Team, has dished out 50 or more assists in eight matches this season, and has recorded 15 double-doubles on the year. Additionally, DeMarchi has been an asset in defense, with 268 digs (2.79/set), and in service, with 22 aces (0.23/set). DeMarchi posted a program-record 64 assists against Alaska Anchorage. DeMarchi was named to the Midwest Region Crossover All-Tournament Team for totaling 149 assists (12.41/set) and 45 digs (3.75/set). In the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinal against Grand Valley State, DeMarchi posted 39 assists, 12 digs, and three kills in the Huskies' 3-0 win over the Lakers.
Ghormley was rewarded for her breakout season by being named the GLIAC Attacker of the Year and All-GLIAC First Team, the first time a Michigan Tech player has been named Attacker of the Year in program history. The sophomore from Oneida, Wisconsin finished the regular season with 479 kills and an average of 4.70 kills per set, putting her at the top of the conference in both statistical categories and third in the nation in kills per set. A three-time GLIAC North Division Player of the Week recipient, Ghormley finished with double-digit kills in 26 matches this season, and recorded 20 or more kills seven times this year. Ghormley also proved her versatility to the team by putting up 75 digs and 36 total blocks. Ghormley was named to the All-Tournament Teams of the UAA Invitational, Wildcat Open, and Midwest Region Crossover. Ghormley recorded 17 kills against the Lakers in the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinal match, along with two block assists and two digs.
Sherman earns her second consecutive All-GLIAC First Team honor after a strong senior campaign. Sherman, who currently ranks sixth in Michigan Tech history for most kills in a career with 1,139, has hit 342 kills (3.35/set) with a hitting percentage of .279 this season, and has contributed 53 total blocks (13 solos, 40 assisted) in 2018. Sherman earned herself a spot on the Wildcat Open All-Tournament Team with 41 kills (2.93/set) in four matches. In the team's 3-0 win over Grand Valley State in the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinal, Sherman killed on nine attack attempts and recorded four total blocks with three assisted blocks and one solo block.
A sophomore from Parma, Ohio, Utlak made the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention team after finishing the regular season with 465 digs (4.56/set), recording 15 or more digs in 17 matches on the year as the Huskies went 22-5 on the year to earn the second seed in the GLIAC Tournament. Utlak, who ended the regular season ranked fifth in the GLIAC in digs per set and sixth in total digs, has also posted 76 assists (0.75/set) this season. The sophomore libero was named to the UAA Invitational All-Tournament Team with 80 digs (4.71/set), including a career-best 32 against Alaska Anchorage. In the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinal, Utlak dug out 14 attacks and recorded six assists in the Huskies' 3-0 win.
The No. 2 seed Huskies will face Davenport at 5:30 p.m. in the Semifinal of the 2018 GLIAC Volleyball Tournament. Michigan Tech has qualified for its fourth straight GLIAC Tournament after finishing the regular season with a record of 22-5 overall and a 14-2 mark in the GLIAC. A 3-0 sweep of GVSU advanced the Black and Gold to their second consecutive Semifinal appearance.
For the complete list of GLIAC award winners and All-GLIAC honorees, click here.