Davenport takes match with 15-10 fifth set
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team fell 3-2 at Davenport on Friday. The Panthers won 25-20, 22-25, 18-25, 25-21, and 15-10 in the GLIAC opener for both teams. Tech is now 4-5 overall, and DU improved to 7-1.
“We played hard against a tough Davenport team that has been off to a hot start this season,” Tech coach Cindy Pindral said. “Another 5-set battle where we found ourselves up at times, down at times, and everything in between. We will continue to work on execution in crunch time and stringing together consistent offense over longer periods of time. For now, we regroup and turn our attention to what should be another battle tomorrow.”
The first set had six ties and three lead changes before the home team took control midway through. Kayla Heinonen had seven kills in the second, helping the Huskies tie the match.
After the break, Tech never trailed in the third and had four different players with at least two kills. Davenport forced a fifth set after scoring nine of the last 12 points in the fourth.
In the fifth, there were five ties and two lead changes. DU hit .348 and got six kills from Savanah Weathers, including the final three points.
Kayla Heinonen tallied a season-high 16 kills to lead the Huskies offense while adding nine digs. Rachel Zurek added 13 kills. Madelynn Kreider set the attack with 45 assists and added 11 digs. Keeley Nellis recorded a match-high 25 digs.
Savanah Weathers led the Panthers with 15 kills, Kiera Dommer tallied 24 assists, and Hayley Carr had 16 digs.
Tech wraps up the weekend at Saginaw Valley State on Saturday. First serve is at 2 p.m. inside Hamilton Gym.
