“Unexpected but fabulous,” said senior Kaari Nevanen when describing the Michigan Tech volleyball team’s 2009 season. The team compiled a 10-6 GLIAC record and a 14-15 overall record, that earned them a spot in the GLIAC Tournament and a shot at the NCAA Championship, when they were selected as one of 64 teams to compete in the NCAA Tournament. Said Nevanen, “I don’t think people expected us to do well,” but as Veronica Armstrong put it, “externally, we knew that the support wasn’t there, but internally, we knew it was there.” The Huskies came off of a competitive 2008 season that saw a 12-4 GLIAC and 19-11 overall record. The team also lost the “twin towers,” Jen and Christa Jung, in addition to both front and back row talents like Kelly Jorgensen, Kelsey Skoog, and Ashley Nyenhuis.

Michigan Tech volleyball had to change their outlook and their game plan as a result of senior graduation and the addition of a new head coach in Orlando Gonzalez.

“In years past, it was all about blocking,” said Armstrong, but the team had to work on developing a focus on passing because of their height loss. Armstrong noted both serve receive and defense as areas where the Huskies improved during the season. This had been a particular goal that Gonzalez had set forth at the beginning. While some fans may not have been confident of the team’s ability, Nevanen felt “everything was more of a team effort,” thanks to the changes.

Three games in particular stood out as shining moments for the team this season, defeating Saginaw Valley State University away (3-0), pulling out a win against Grand Valley State University at home (3-2) and taking a victory against Upper Peninsula rival Northern Michigan University at home (3-2).

While most of the numbers in the Saginaw Valley State game do not make for an impressive match up on paper, the game was important to returning players. “The previous year, they destroyed us in three,” said Armstrong, reminiscing of Michigan Tech’s home match in the first round of the 2008 GLIAC Tournament. “Doing that at their place, at their home, it felt so good.” The Huskies turned in one of their highest blocking matches of the year producing 12 blocks to Saginaw’s 9.5.

Michigan Tech saw intense play against the Lakers of Grand Valley State when the match came down to a Husky 15-13 fifth set victory.  “Everyone likes to beat Grand Valley,” quipped Armstrong, while Nevanen explained, “that was one of the first games that we had to all out battle, and we totally prevailed.” Armstrong (19 kills, 23 digs) and Nevanen (13 kills, 20 digs) both had double double performances, and Kristine Sexton (12) and freshman Lindsey Sathre (10) each reached double digit kills. Madeline Haben was responsible for all but one of Michigan Tech’s assists, working hard for a total of 60.”

In their last home game of the season, Michigan Tech hosted long-time rival Northern Michigan University. For senior night, the Huskies rallied back after suffering two straight losses in sets two and three. Sexton (17), Armstrong (12) and Alicia Schneider (10) reached double digit kills. While overall numbers were similar between the teams, and Michigan Tech was out-blocked 10-4, the Huskies took control when it needed to happen. Led by strong serving from Nevanen, Michigan Tech jumped out to a six-point lead in the fifth set that the Wildcats never recovered from. A decisive 15-7 final set Husky victory was what defined play and why it ranks high among the team’s most memorable matches.

Michigan Tech’s seniors, Armstrong, Nevanen, Alison Greene, Lindsey Dixon, Jackie Roberts and Amanda Vogt will be missed, but looking towards next year, “younger girls need to step up into leadership roles and take control of the team,” said Nevanen.

Armstrong stayed near the top of the offensive attack, while junior Sexton moved into a more prominent role with the departure of the Jung sisters, earning 2.14 and 3.19 kills per set respectively.  The Huskies can rest comfortably in what might have been an unsure future in the assist department. Freshman Haben picked up where Skoog (9.47) left off, producing more assists with 9.71 per set. When junior Kaitlin Wiza (3.74) suffered an ankle injury at the beginning of the season, senior captains Nevanen and Armstrong took the responsibility of leading the team in digs with 3.22 and 2.85 digs respectively.

“They need to improve their mindset,” said Armstrong of the team’s future. “They can’t accept mediocrity. At this level, it’s always going to take heart and desire.” With lessons learned and a new team in the making, Michigan Tech volleyball completes their season. They will return in the spring for tournament play.