HOUGHTON, Mich. - Michigan Tech, playing its first home volleyball match in nearly a month, fell 3-1 to Saginaw Valley State tonight in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

Juniors Kristine Sexton and Alex Schwalbe both hit better than .250 in the match, but it wasn't quite enough.

SVSU took an early 5-1 lead in set one before the Huskies battled back. The Black and Gold led 19-18 before SVSU rattled off four straight points and seven of the final eight in the set to claim a 25-20 victory.

In set two, the teams fought to a 20-all tie. The Cardinals were able to win the next five points straight to take another 25-20 set win and 2-0 lead in the match.

Tech got past 20 in set three in a big way by defeating the visitors 25-22. The Huskies hit .310 in the set and were up 24-19 before SVSU trimmed the margin to 24-22. Schwalbe's smash through the Cardinal block put away the set.

SVSU used a six-point run through the middle of set four to take a lead it never relinquished en route to a 25-17 decision.

"I'm happy we didn't quit tonight," said head coach Orlando Gonzalez. "I give credit to the ladies for fighting hard.

"It was nice to see Kristine Sexton playing better as her health is improving."

The Cardinals hit .242 in the match compared to the Huskies' .191 percentage. SVSU's Annie Buxton totaled a match-high 23 kills.

Sexton posted 14 kills to pace the Huskies. Schwalbe added eight more. Tessa Mauer notched 16 digs and three service aces and was named Superior Player of the Match. Skylar Paffenroth played a majority of the match at setter and accumulated 29 assists.

Michigan Tech will play at home again tomorrow. The Huskies will host Grand Valley State in a match scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.