Box Score
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Huskies swept the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals in the SDC Gym to move 7-3 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC. Huskies held the Cardinals to three sets, redeeming their last year's five set loss to SVSU in the GLIAC quarter final.
Tech successfully out blocked Saginaw 5-1 and hit .425 in the afternoon.
Lauren Emmert shined her senior leadership abilities helping the Huskies to a big GLIAC win clearing 10 kills at .750 and added five blocks.
"I'm really happy with the 3-0 win," said Michigan Tech Head Coach Matt Jennings. "I think that was one of the cleaner matches we have played all season. This Saginaw team is always dangerous to play against in the GLIAC and I think we played three pretty decisive sets, so that's nice to see. We got a lot of people in the game and they all contributed in a big way."
The Huskies came out hot in set one, out blocking SVSU 5-1. Tech's hitters, Emmert, Olivia Ghormley and Stephanie Dietrich rallied kills in set one to set the pace. Emmert was three for three attacks and Ghormley had four kills against the Cardinals. The Huskies fell in to rhythm in set two, hitting at a high of .577.
"Lauren is our best blocker and one of our most consistent hitters; she has been for four years," said Jennings.
Mariah Sherman had another exceptional match at the net, tallying six kills while hitting .600 and adding a pair of blocks.
"It's great to see us come out of the gates blocking better and especially the way we started that match, we were on fire," Jennings added. "Mariah Sherman had a dandy two nights in a row, hitting over .400 both nights, with .600 tonight. That's a perfect game almost. When her and Lauren are blocking together, that's a tough one for sure."
The entire team's effort played a major role in the Black and Gold's victory. Laura DeMarchi led in assists, with 30 assists and six digs. Mariel Leibovitz subbed in for DeMarchi and added 12 assists, a kill and two digs.
Olivia Ghormley had a standout match with 12 kills and three blocks and MacAulay Petersen added nine kills to the game.
Defensively, Anna Jonynas took the high in digs with nine, followed by Elle Heinonen (8), and Hart (6).
"I think we are a deep team this year certainly in the setter position and on the right side," Jennings added.
Next match is set for Tuesday, Sept. 19 versus longtime rival Northern Michigan (8-2).
"Coach Mike (Northern Michigan Head Coach, Mike Lozier) has them playing extraordinarily well. We would love everyone to come out to the game on Tuesday and have a big crowd against Northern," said Jennings.
Tuesday's serve time is set for 7 p.m. in the SDC Gym. Northern Michigan (8-2) is on a four-match winning streak and is ranked second in the GLIAC North.
