Huskies lose five-set match to Oilers
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Findlay came back from two sets down to defeat Michigan Tech 3-2 in GLIAC volleyball at the SDC Gym tonight. The Huskies were up two sets to one and leading 22-20 in the fourth set but couldn’t put it out. The Oilers ended up scoring five straight points to close out the fourth set before claiming set five 15-7.
“It was a tough one,” said Huskies coach Matt Jennings. “We played a great first two and a half sets and let it slip away. Credit to Findlay. They were the more experienced team, and it showed in crunch time.”
The Huskies took a marathon first set 33-31. The hosts had set points at 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28, but the Oilers answered each time. UF had a set point of its own at 29-28 but couldn’t convert. Sylvie Rokosh then had a big kill to give Tech the advantage again. Lauren Emmert finished it off with a kill for the 33-31 decision.
Tech dominated set two with a 4-0 to start it and a 6-0 run to finish it. The point of the set came at 21-13 as a Tech dig disappeared into the ceiling for several seconds before returning on the Huskies side. They went on to win the point on a Kendall Ward kill. The set victory came three points later as Jacqueline Aird drilled two service aces for a 25-13 final.
Findlay won the third set with a .344 hitting percentage. The Huskies were down 23-18 before coming back to 23-22. The Oilers were able to close it out two points later 25-22.
Set four saw the Black and Gold work themselves into a 22-20 advantage with an Emmert kill. Findlay came right back with two kills, a service ace and two Tech errors to claim the 25-22 victory.
UF utilized a 5-0 run midway through the fifth set to take control. The Oilers finished it off with Hannah Tong’s match-leading 20th kill at 15-7.
The visitors hit .287 compared to a .230 clip for the Huskies. They also had a 12-to-6 lead in blocks.
Emmert and Rokosh tied for team-high honors with 16 kills apiece. Rokosh had 15 of those in the first three sets. Rachel Pohlod tallied 52 assists, and Aird notched a team-high 22 digs. Ward had a season-high 12 kills.
“Lots of good stuff went on,” said Jennings. “Kendall Ward and Lauren Emmert both had great matches. Rokosh was dominant for three sets, and Aird played well as always.”
Michigan Tech, which is now 4-7 overall and 3-3 in conference play, will be back in action tomorrow. Hillsdale comes to the SDC Gym for a 3 p.m. first serve.
(Information Courtesy of MTU Athletics)