Michigan Tech Bounces Back For Weekend-Opening Win Over #25 Bulldogs

Big Rapids, Mich. - Host Michigan Tech rallied back in the final two sets to knock off nationally 25th-ranked Ferris State University in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Friday (March 12) afternoon at the Student Development Complex Gymnasium in Houghton.

The Bulldogs took the early lead in the match, winning the opening set 25-21, and held a 3-1 edge before the host Huskies bounced back to force the deciding fifth frame and eventually claimed the match victory.

MTU posted a 25-14 win in the second set with the Bulldogs claiming the third 25-20 overall. However, the Huskies reversed the score in the fourth, winning 25-20, and then controlled the final set for a 15-5 win.

Ferris State, which was tied atop the GLIAC North Division standings entering the match, was limited to a .128 attack figure for the contest. The Bulldogs had 51 kills and 28 errors on 179 total attacks for the afternoon.

Senior outside hitter Katie O'Connell again led FSU with a team-high 15 kills and nine digs. Meanwhile, freshman Keona Salesman contributed 11 kills and seven digs with both Samantha Hermann and Morgan Ross posting eight kills each.

Defensively, libero Nina Gorgijevska totaled 27 digs for the Bulldogs and Kaylee Maat had 47 assists.

The Bulldogs posted nine service aces and had 7.5 total blocks for the day with 65 digs.

For Michigan Tech, Olivia Ghormley tallied a match-high 20 digs. Jillian Kuizenga had 15 kills with Morgan Radtke notching 13 kills and Anna Jonynas totaled 11. Megan Utlak led MTU with 27 digs.

The Huskies hit .274 overall and netted 70 kills with 22 errors on 175 attempts. Michigan Tech also had 90 digs to go with two aces and 12.5 total blocks.

With the win, the Huskies improved to 4-1 on the year and in GLIAC play. FSU now owns a 5-2 mark to date.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday, March 13, with match time set for 12 p.m. (ET) in Houghton.

(Highlights Courtesy of Michigan Tech)