Volleyball Falls in Five to Augustana

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team wrapped up its weekend at the Flyer Festival with a five-set loss to Augustana on Saturday (Sept. 3). The Huskies won the first and third set and are now 1-3 on the season.

"Our match record this weekend does not reflect what we saw from our Huskies this tournament," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "To play at the level we did was very encouraging.

"The sweep yesterday along with the four- and five-set losses against two top Northern Sun teams have this group very determined. That's where we want to be. If we improve each week this team will go far. The girls are pumped to get in the gym on Monday."

The Huskies led 2-1 after taking set one 25-22 and set three 25-13. The Vikings closed out the match, tying it at two with a 25-16 win in set four and 15-7 in the final frame.

MacAulay Petersen and Aubrey Ficek both had 15 kills offensively to lead Tech. Both finished the weekend with 41 kills. Rachel Pohlod set up the offense with 40 assists.

Halie Hart once again led the back row with 20 digs. Lauren Emmert controlled the net with two solo blocks and four block assists. Four other Huskies added a pair of block assists each.

"The more confident team won that final set," added Jennings. "We made too many reception errors in the second and fourth–the whole weekend really.

"Our pin hitters were, at times, absolutely dominant. In sets one and three, our offense was as good as I've seen. Rachel spread the ball around very well. Our blocking is significantly better than it has been in the past. Our middles did a great job working at the net."

Ashley Wilson and Courtney Place had a match-high 17 kills for Augustana (3-0). Anna Sykora had 48 assists while Tahlyr Banks tallied 20 digs.

Michigan Tech plays four more Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponents next weekend at the UW-Parkside Tournament. The Huskies open against Minnesota State Moorhead and Upper Iowa on Friday, September 9.