HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Sophomores Jen Jung (Andover, Minn./Coon
Rapids) and Veronica Armstrong (Battle Creek, Mich./Central) each
registered a double-double and three other Huskies notched at least
10 kills to carry the Michigan Tech volleyball team past arch-rival
Northern Michigan, 3-2, Tuesday at the SDC Gym. Tech won the
marathon match by scores of 30-27, 19-30, 30-28, 23-30, 15-12.
"This was a huge win for us in many different ways," said
eighth-year head coach Krista Mikesch. "Beating NMU is a huge lift
for us and this gives our team a lot of momentum for the stretch
run in the GLIAC."
"We have continued to grow up and tonight was another stage in our
development. Winning the tough matches is crucial and we are
starting to understand what it takes to win in those
situations."
The Huskies never trailed in the opening game, but the Wildcats led
after the first two points in the second game of the night. NMU
held the lead for the first- half of the third stanza, but fought
back to take seven of the final nine points in the session.
Sophomore Christa Jung (Andover, Minn./Coon Rapids), who finished
with 10 kills in the contest, contributed three of those nine
points. Sophomore Kelly Jorgensen (Eden Prairie, Minn.) added one
of her 13 kills on the night during the same stretch.
The visitors avoided defeat by taking the fourth game by an
11-point margin, but Tech rose to the occasion in the deciding
fifth game.
Jen Jung showed why she was named the GLIAC North Division Player
of the Week this week, as the middle hitter amassed three kills and
six block assists in the final game to pave the way for a Tech
victory.
The sophomore ended the night with 12 kills off a team-best .400
hitting percentage, along with a school record 12 block assists.
Jung has now shattered MTU's single-game record for block assists
twice in her last three matches.
Armstong posted 13 kills, 13 digs and two digs to complete her
fifth double-double of the season. Senior Amanda Neuhalfen
(Arlington, Neb.) added 10 kills and two block assists, while
junior Kali Jeter (Middleton, Wis.) put together nine digs, five
kills and five block assists.
In terms of blocks, Christa Jung finished with eight block assists
and one block solo, while Jorgensen tallied six block assists.
Senior Amanda Mackenthun (Waconia, Minn./Mayer Lutheran)
distributed 29 helpers, compared to Alison Greene (Andover,
Minn./Totino Grace), who handed out 24 assists.
Sophomore Kelsey Skoog (Long Lake, Minn./Orono) tied a career high
with 31 digs in the match.
Sam Schulte led Northern Michigan with 22 kills, while Rachel
Martinez was credited with a match-best 50 assists.
Tech held a 19-13 advantage in total blocks.
The Huskies improved to 12-10 overall and 8-5 in Great Lakes
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition. The Wildcats
dropped to 13-8 overall and 5-8 in the conference.
MTU hosts Lake Superior State this Friday (Oct. 13) for a 5 p.m.
tilt at the SDC Gym.
Notes: Tonight's win was Tech's first over Northern Michigan since
Oct. 15, 2002, when the Huskies bested the Wildcats, 3-0, in
Houghton.
