HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team fell 3-1 to No. 24-ranked Ferris State on Friday (Nov. 1) evening from the SDC Gym. Four Huskies had double digit kills but Tech couldn't overcome the Bulldogs .308 hitting percentage. Set scores were 25-18, 25-22, 25-27 and 25-18.

"The overall performance tonight is as satisfying of a match as I've had in a long time, win or lose," Tech volleyball coach Matt Jennings said. "For us to go pound for pound with Ferris, a nationally ranked team, was exceptional."

Down 2-0 coming out of the break, Kendall Ward led Tech to a set three victory with six kills in the frame. The Huskies had a pair of set points and capitalized on their second attempt after Kiena Sharp blocked back-to-back Ferris attacks. Rachel Pohlod and Jacqueline Aird each had six digs in the set.

"Our defense stepped up tonight and made them earn their points," Jennings added. "They're 11-1 in conference for a reason. You can't so much stop them as to slow them down.

"Our game plan was fulfilled tonight. Our offense was going to be our best defense tonight. We served aggressively and our backcourt defense was the best I've seen in weeks."

In the first set, the two teams were tied 13-13 before the Bulldogs went on a 12-5 run to take a 1-0 lead. Sharp had four kills in the set and Sylvie Rokosh added three.

Ferris (18-5, 11-1 GLIAC) held a 23-13 lead in the second set until Sharp and Shelby Jones each added a pair of kills to bring Tech back, trailing 24-22. A Ferris kill by Caroline Heitzman gave the visitors a 2-0 lead. Jones finished with five kills while Sharp had four for the Huskies

The Bulldogs took control midway through the fourth set after an 11-all tie and ended the match on a 14-7 run. Jones had four kills in the fourth while Madeline Haben and Ward each added four.

Ward and Jones finished with a team-high 14 kills. Sharp added 13 kills and four total blocks, including two solos. Haben had a season-high 10 kills to go along with 42 assists and nine digs. Aird finished with 20 digs while Pohlod tallied 19.

Courtney Rehm (16), Caroline Heitzman (15) and Alexis Huntey (15) led the offensive charge for the Bulldogs. Stephanie Sikorski set up the attack with 56 assists and Brandie Merren had 23 digs, defensively.

"We have some confidence back," said Jennings. "We've been a little frustrated as a group lately but tonight we feel darn good about our effort and we'll carry that over to another very good team tomorrow."

Tech wraps up its home schedule on Saturday (Nov. 2) against No. 16-ranked Grand Valley State. The Lakers swept Northern Michigan on Friday in Marquette. Tech's four seniors will be honored before the 4 p.m. match.