Quick bounce back after losing to SVSU on Friday
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team swept Davenport 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at the SDC Gym, avenging a five-set loss to the Panthers last weekend. The Huskies won 30-28, 25-21, and 25-23 to improve to 6-6 overall and 2-2 in the GLIAC.
“I’m very proud of the team for the way we responded and rebounded after falling to a really good team last night,” Tech coach Cindy Pindral said. “We focused on the things that we can control today, and winning in three is nice with all the five-setters we’ve played this season.”
The opening set saw 13 ties and six different lead changes. DU had the first setpoint before Jacqueline Yancy and Rachel Zurek swung it the other way. Zurek added a kill for a Black and Gold setpoint, and then the Panthers scored two to get the lead back. Knotted a 28, Kayla Heinonen put down a kill followed by a Madelynn Kreider point, and the Huskies led 1-0. DU had more kills, 21-17, and hit a better percentage but also committed 13 errors
The Huskies never trailed in the second, building a six-point lead. Rachel Zurek had five kills in the second, including one for a setpoint lead. An error by the Panthers made it 2-0 Huskies at the break.
The third set was another seesaw battle with 13 ties and five lead changes. DU twice held a three-point lead but couldn’t create separation from the Huskies. Tied at 23, Kayla Heinonen had an attack that was ruled out of bounds. Coach Pindral challenged the play, and the officials ruled a touch to swing match point to Michigan Tech. Rachel Zurek finished it off with the kill—the 999th of her career.
Rachel Zurek led the Huskies with 12 kills. Kayla Heinonen added 11 kills and eight digs. Madelynn Kreider and Paige Wagner each added six kills, and Kreider added 36 assists and seven digs. Keeley Nellis recorded 14 digs, and Amelia Albers added 12.
For the Panthers, Abby Alan had a match-high 14 kills. Keira Dommer tallied 23 assists, and Hayley Carr registered 19 digs.
Tech honored alumni in attendance at the break and back at the SDC Gym this weekend were Ashley Jukuri (L’Esperance), Zoe Rhines, Mary Kaminski, Annie Pietila (Raisanen), Max James, Anna Jonynas, Olivia Ghormley, Shelby Brajak (Jones), Matthew Radloff, Ian Blair, Julia Fledderjohn, and Meg Raabe.
Tech has a quick turnaround, traveling to Northern Michigan on Tuesday. First serve at Vandament Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m.
