Huskies come back for five-set win at No. 20 Ferris State

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team stormed back from a 2-0 deficit for a key 3-2 GLIAC victory at Ferris State Friday (Nov. 10). The Huskies won 15-25, 23-25, 25-22, 26-24, and 15-12 to hand the Bulldogs their first home GLIAC loss of the season and pick up the first victory in Big Rapids in 14 years.

The Huskies improved to 14-14 overall and maintained their fourth-place position in the GLIAC standings at 10-7. The regular season wraps up Saturday at Lake Superior State.

"What a great comeback for our Huskies," Tech coach Matt Jennings said after his first win in Big Rapids. "I couldn't be more proud of this group than I am right now, especially the way we fought back into the match. Ferris is a good team that doesn't lose a lot at home. For us to be down two sets and on their court and win is a testament to our team's character and unwillingness to quit.

"We talked a lot about not giving up when we are not at our best this week in practice and that in a match if we keep at it and keep it close, you'll have a chance to come around and make a difference in the end. It felt that way here today. We started off slow and sloppy, but by the end, we were making big plays and had a good team on their heels."

Trailing 2-0 after a tight second set, the Huskies battled through seven ties in the third and led by as many as three. The home team used a 5-1 run to take a 21-20 lead. The teams then traded points and before Tech went on a 4-0 run to get on the board. Meg Raabe had a pair of kills in the final run combined with a pair of errors by the Bulldogs.

Tech tied the match in extra points in the fourth. Tech held setpoint before the Bulldogs extended it. A service error put the Huskies back on top, and then Kaycee Meiners pounded down a kill to send it to a fifth set.

The Huskies went on a 6-1 run in the fifth set to take a 9-5 lead. The home team responded with a 5-1 rally and then cut it down to a one-point match at 13-12. Tess Hayes had a kill for match point, and Kaycee Meiners finished off the win with a shot that sailed off a defender to the back wall.

The Huskies had a balanced offensive attack with Meg Raabe (15), Rachel Zurek (14), and Kaycee Meiners (11) hitting double figures in kills. Tess Hayes hit 50 assists for the sixth time this season, setting 51 kills to surpass 1,000 assists in her freshman season. She added 10 digs for the double-double.

Amelia Albers (16), Alayna Corwin (15), and Brook Dzwik (15) also had double-digit digs. Kaycee Meiners (1 solo, 3 block assists), Rachel Zurek (1BS, 2 BA), Tricia Kennedy (3 BA), and Lindy Oujiri (2BA) were all a major force on the block.

"Rachel and Kaycee were fabulous tonight," Jennings said. "When we were able to get them the ball, we were really tough to beat. Rachel was really rolling all match on the attack and Kaycee was just as steady as ever, particularly in the final three sets. Lindy really dug deep in this one and played a gutsy five sets on a bum ankle. We don't win without that leadership."

Ferris hit .324 in the first set and used an 11-3 run to take command of the opening frame.

The Huskies led for most of the second before the Bulldogs closed on a 5-1 run to take a 2-0 lead at the break.

First serve against the Lakers is set for 3 p.m. in the Soo. LSSU fell 3-1 to Northern Michigan Friday.