Michigan Tech

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team fell 3-2 at Northern Michigan on Tuesday evening. The Huskies won sets two and four, but the Wildcats took the fifth 15-10.
 
"We fought hard and put on a good show, but unfortunately couldn't pull it all together at the end," Tech coach Cindy Pindral said. "Our blocking came alive tonight, and Rachel had an outstanding offensive performance, but it wasn't enough to earn a road win. We will turn our attention to a tough match in Detroit on Friday."
 
The match saw 25 ties and 11 lead changes and lasted two hours and 26 minutes. NMU hit .414 in the opening set and won 25-18 to take the lead. Rachel Zurek tallied five kills for the Huskies while Kaylie McIntosh and Anna O'Keefe also put down five kills for the home team.
 
The Huskies never trailed in the second to tie it at the break, 25-22. NMU had more kills but also committed 11 errors. Kayla Heinonen recorded six kills for the Huskies on nine attempts.
 
NMU won the third 25-21 after 12 ties and six different lead changes. The home team scored seven of the final 10 points to take the 2-1 lead. Rachel Zurek tallied five kills for Tech and Kaylie McIntosh had eight kills for NMU.
 
Tech forced a fifth set after winning 25-21 in the fourth. The Black and Gold never trailed and quickly jumped out to a four-point lead. NMU made a late push, but the Huskies rode the hot hand of Rachel Zurek, who put down five kills in the fourth on seven attempts.
 
There were five ties early in the fifth before the home team was able to build a three-point lead. The Huskies couldn't get closer, and NMU finished on a 4-1 run.
 
Rachel Zurek finished one kill short of her career-high with 24 kills while hitting .340. Kayle Heinonen finished with 11 kills and 16 digs. Jacqueline Yancy added season-best 10 kills. Madelynn Kreider set the attack with 52 assists and added a career-best 19 digs. Madelyn Elsen (12), Keeley Nellis (11), and Amelia Albers (10) also had double-digit digs.
 
Kayla McIntosh led NMU with a match-high 28 digs. Allie Barlow tallied 61 assists, and Liesl Haugen recorded 16 digs.
 
Tech continues on the road this week at Wayne State on Friday night. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m. in Detroit.