Huskies head home on three-game streak

Michigan Tech volleyball sits in second place in the GLIAC north division after two on-the-road victories in Hillsdale, Mich. (3-1), and Findlay, Ohio (3-0). The Huskies are now 5-2 in conference and 10-5 overall with winning records at home and on the road. “We always know that we have to play Michigan Tech volleyball no matter where we are,” said Kaari Nevanen. “We prepared and knew what they ran. We were prepared for what they were going to bring.” Findlay and Michigan Tech played an evenly matched game. While Michigan Tech claimed precedence in blocking, numbers for kills, assists and even errors came out almost the same. As Nevanen said, the Huskies played their game led by Veronica Armstrong’s 16 kills and six digs. Kelsey Skoog offered 27 assists, and all 10 of the Huskies present filled in the gaps. Michigan Tech kept calm in all three of their close victories, 25-21, 25-23 and 25-22. The excitement of their weekend came the following evening at Hillsdale College. Against Hillsdale, Michigan Tech had fewer attacks, fewer digs and fewer assists, but they still came out on top of the Chargers. Point strings like the one Nevanen delivered early in game one of the match were key to Husky success. With four service aces and two Hillsdale errors included in Nevanen’s string, Michigan Tech was able to craft an early 7-2 lead. While Hillsdale slowly whittled down the Husky margin for a game one Charger victory, 26-24, Michigan Tech was just warming up. “Once we limited our errors, we were more on top and it became more of how we play the game,” said Nevanen. “It was just total teamwork. Everyone was doing their part.” A 25-19 game two win gave the Huskies the momentum to finish out uninterrupted. While Hillsdale put forth a valiant effort in two close 26-24 games, it was Michigan Tech that came out on top with a last kill, fittingly from Nevanen. With six service aces to her credit, Nevanen also added 11 digs. Eleven was the magic number for the Jung twins, both Christa and Jen with 11 kills to follow Armstrong’s 16. Christa Jung claimed 12 digs and Armstrong nine. Skoog and Kaitlin Wiza split lead digs with 13 each. Skoog produced 42 of Michigan Tech’s 46 assists. “In the fourth game we were down 15-23. Usually games come out the other way where Hillsdale would have won,” explained Nevanen. “We were able to stay relaxed. It was a huge victory.” In addition to strong all-around play, Michigan Tech out-blocked the chargers 10-6 and also committed fewer receive errors 2-12. The Huskies will certainly have to watch out for the Chargers at the GLIAC conference matches, but for now, they can enjoy their first victory over Hillsdale since 2005. With two more conference wins under the belt, the Huskies will literally make a Homecoming weekend of it when Ashland University and new GLIAC member, Tiffin University come to visit. Michigan Tech will host the matches on Thursday and Friday at the SDC gymnasium. Both games are set for 7 p.m.