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November 1, 2024 | 5pm
Mix 93.5 WKMJ
Friday, November 1st 17:00
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HISTORY HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Technological University volleyball team earned a thrilling five-set victory over its Northern Michigan rival Wednesday at SDC Gym. The Huskies had four match points, but the Wildcats won the fifth overtime 20-18.
Tech (11-10, 5-6 GLIAC) had three blocks early in the fifth inning to jump out to a four-point lead. NMU fought back and tied the score at 11 points.
Blocks from Meg Rabe and Casey Miners gave the Huskies match point, and the Wildcats’ attack on the next rally went wide, giving Tech the victory. However, due to a green challenge card, the call was overturned and the game was ruled inbounds and the game was extended.
Tech took another three match point leads, but NMU answered the bell time and time again, winning the match with three consecutive kills from Kaylee Barrage, Megan Meyer and Jacqueline Smith.
“The ball went in,” Tech coach Matt Jennings said. “I would have done the same thing. We tried to get it right and they did it right.
“What should have happened was to end the fourth inning with us on match point. I couldn’t have asked for a closer set in the fifth. They had 18 kills, but We had no errors.”
The Huskies had 17 kills and hit .293, winning the first match 25-19. NMU responded with a 13-2 run early in the second, holding Tech to just six kills and tying the match at 25-15 heading into the break.
The Wildcats (14-7, 8-3 GLIAC) went on a 9-2 run in the third to take control and take a 2-1 advantage with a 25-20 win. The Huskies fought back in the fourth inning to tie the game again. The home team hit .452 on target, with five players recording three kills.
Meg Rabe led the Huskies in the game with 21 kills, reaching the 20-kill mark for the second time this season. She hit .352 and also had six digs and four block assists. Rachel Zurek added 14 kills and Casey Miners had eight kills and eight blocks. Makenna Wesol had seven kills, and Paige Wagner and Jacqueline Yancey each added five kills.
Amelia Albers led the Huskies with 21 goals, and Bryn Erickson added a career-high 20 goals. Tess Hayes had 52 assists and 12 digs. Brooke Zvik also reached double figures with 11 shots.
Jacqueline Smith had a match-high 28 kills for the Wildcats. Allie Barlow had 62 assists and Liesl Haugen led the way with 31 goals.
The Huskies continue their final home weekend by hosting Parkside on Friday at 5 p.m. and Purdue Northwest on Senior Day Saturday at 3 p.m.
