Missouri S&T Defeats Tech 3-1 at GLIAC/GLVC Crossover

AURORA, Ill. — Michigan Tech dropped its opening match of the GLIAC/GLVC Crossover Tournament by a 3-1 count to Missouri S&T. The Huskies, seeded No. 7 in the GLIAC, fell to 8-10 overall. The Miner's, who are the No. 6 seed in the GLVC, improved to 11-9.

MST used a 9-4 run to end the first set with a 25-18 victory. Tech held an 11-10 lead and was within 16-14 before the Miner's went on their run.

Set two saw MST jump out to a 5-0 lead and 22-7 advantage before finally settling for a 25-14 decision.

The Huskies turned things around in the third with 15 kills and just one error en route to a .400 hitting percentage. Sylvie Rokosh had six kills in the set as it was Tech's turn to finish with a 9-4 run and a 25-20 score.

Tech was within 11-10 in the fourth set before MST scored nine of the next 10 points on its way to a 25-15 final.

Lauren Emmert registered a team-high 14 kills and a match-high .591 hitting percentage while Noelle Eveland added 13 kills. Rokosh and Kendall Ward posted eight kills apiece.

Missouri S&T hit .317 as a team compared to .248 for the Huskies.

"Credit S&T for playing a great match today," said Tech coach Matt Jennings. "They were the more aggressive team, and made fewer unforced errors than we did.

"We made a lot of uncharacteristic-type errors in the back court and with our serve. There were some good things to take away from this match, starting with the play of our pin hitters. Noelle, Kendall, and Sylvie all had nice matches at the net, which is great to see.  Lauren continues to excel for us offensively as well with blocking."

Michigan Tech continues play in the nation's largest college volleyball tournament tomorrow with two matches. The first is an 11 a.m. start vs. Lewis.