Bulldogs win fifth set 25-23
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team opened its 2026 season with a 5-set loss to Minnesota Duluth on Thursday at the SDC Gym. The teams battled through 12 ties and nine lead changes in the fifth set with the visiting Bulldogs finally earning the 25-23 win.
Tech won the first set 25-20 before UMD took the next pair 25-20 and 25-17. The Huskies forced a fifth set with a 25-17 victory in the fourth before the epic fifth.
“What a way to start the season with an incredible match,” Tech coach Cindy Pindral said. “We knew that we were going to be very evenly-matched in terms of personnel and style of play going into it, and it ended up being maybe the longest five-set match I’ve ever um been a part of.”
Rachel Zurek led the Huskies with 16 kills while Paige Wagner added 13 kills. Madelyn Torola, Kayla Heinonen, and Tricia Kennedy added nine kills each. Madelynn Kreider set the attack with 48 assists while adding 15 digs. Keeley Nellis led the defense with 23 digs while Amelia Albers added 13.
As a team, Tech hit .239 and outblocked the Bulldogs 12-7—led by Tricia Kennedy’s two solos and six block assists.
Kenzie Kiminski tallied a match-high 22 kills. Ava Jones had 50 assists, and Julianne Hon dug up 20 attacks.
Tech continues play at the UP North Tournament in Marquette over the weekend. The Huskies match up with the St. Cloud State Huskies at 2 p.m. Friday at Vandament Arena. The Black and Gold play Cal State East Bay at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Winona State at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
