Volleyball Leads Timberwolves in 3-0 Sweep Saturday

Play Video

• Postgame Interivew with Matt Jennings

MIDLAND, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Huskies volleyball team swept the Northwood Timberwolves 3-0 Saturday (Sept. 23) afternoon at the Riepma Arena. The Huskies set the pace in set one dominating the net, recording 16 kills. The Huskies finished the match 25-17, 25-16, and 25-20. 

Tech is now 8-5 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Huskies will face Grand Valley State next Friday (Sept. 29) and Wayne State next Saturday (Sept. 30) on the road.

"I think it was a decisive three set win," said Tech coach Matt Jennings. "I thought we came out well in all three sets, particularly the second set when we had that big lead. I think our offense was clicking there and we made it really hard for them to score on defense which was nice." 

Elle Heinonen recorded two aces on a long serving streak in set two to set the Huskies ahead 12-0.

"Our serving game was really on point tonight too and Anna and Elle really went back there and were ripping some balls there for us," Jennings added. 

Tech dominated on the court with three team leaders reaching double-figures. Laura DeMarchi set the offense for Tech and notched her ninth double-double on the season with 37 assists, 10 digs while also recording two blocks and four kills. DeMarchi currently leads the conference in assists per set at 11.60.

Sophomore, MacAulay Petersen, led the hitters with 14 kills, followed by Mariah Sherman with 10 kills while hitting at .444 and tallying three blocks. As a team, Tech hit at .256 overall compared to Northwood's .066. 

Sherman was unstoppable in set one, recording six of her 10 kills while hitting at an impressive .857 and added two of her three blocks. Stephanie Dietrich and Sherman were solid defenders on the net. Dietrich pounded five kills and five blocks and Lauren Emmert added six kills and a pair of blocks. 

"Mariah has been on a couple-match hot streak here and we have a nice right side marking our offense that really opens up everything for other people," said Jennings. "I thought Steph did a good job being up and open and Lauren really turned it on later in the match." 

Halie Hart led the Huskies defense with 16 digs followed by Anna Jonynas talling 13 digs, Heinonen had nine and Megan Utlak tallied six. 

"I think this gives us the confidence that we need as we go into Grand Valley on Friday and down to Wayne on Saturday, two very hard matches – two very good teams," said Jennings.

First serve is set for 7 p.m. between the Huskies and Lakers in the GVSU Arena in Allendale, Mich. The Lakers are 6-7 overall and are coming off a 3-0 win against Purdue Northwest.