ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- Buoyed by 19 digs and four service aces from redshirt freshman Kaari Nevanen (Duluth, Minn./East), the Michigan Tech volleyball team captured its second straight win in a five-game battle with Lewis in the opening contest of the Flyer Festival Thursday night. The Huskies won by scores of 30-28, 27-30, 30-25, 26-30, 15-8 and improved their season record to 2-3.

"I'm really happy with how we competed tonight," said eighth-year head coach Krista Mikesch. "Our start was a little flat, but we bounced back quickly. From there, we put a lot of pressure on Lewis and that forced them to make mistakes. This was a big win because it was another regional opponent."

After trading wins for the first four games, Michigan Tech leaped out to a 5-0 advantage that it never relinquished in the deciding fifth game.

Sophomore Veronica Armstrong (Battle Creek, Mich./Central) paced the Huskies offensive machine with 14 kills, seven digs and two block assists. Sophomore Jen Jung (Andover, Minn./Coon Rapids) garnered 11 kills, along with a team-high five block assists and one block solo. Senior Amanda Neuhalfen (Arlington, Neb.) added 10 kills and three block assists.

Nevanan's 19-dig exhibition was a match best. Normally a leftside hitter, Nevanen was forced to step into the libero position because of an illness to sophomore Kelsey Skoog (Long Lake, Minn./Orono).

Illustrating a growing trend for the Huskies, two of its setters finished with over 20 assists. Senior Amanda Mackethun (Waconia, Minn./Mayer Lutheran) handed out 26 assists, while rookie Alison Greene (Andover, Minn./Totino Grace) secured 20 helpers.

Michigan Tech notched a 10-6 advantage in total blocks. The Huskies fired 16 service aces, compared to the Flyers' nine. Tech hit at a .205 clip, while the home team cracked the .217 mark.

The Huskies continue their Flyer Festival schedule with two matches on Friday. At 12 noon, Tech faces-off against St. Mary's before playing Winona State at 6 p.m.