Huskies sweep Cardinals Friday

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The No. 22-ranked Michigan Tech volleyball team won its fourth straight with a 3-0 sweep at Saginaw Valley State Friday (Mar. 19). The Huskies won 25-13, 25-17, and 25-20 to earn their third sweep of the season and improve to 6-1 overall.

"Today was a nice team win," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "Our offense was very strong, especially early on. I thought our defense picked up well and that our serving was strong throughout most of the match. We did a pretty good job neutralizing their strongest attackers. Now it's about repeating it tomorrow."

Tech held a slim 15-12 lead in the first set before closing on a 10-1 run to take the lead. Jillian Kuizenga had four of her seven kills in the first, including one to make it set point before an attacking error by the Cardinals gave the Huskies a 25-13 win.

Laura De Marchi served the Huskies to a 10-3 lead in the second set with Olivia Ghormley hitting down four early kills. SVSU used a late 5-0 run to climb back in. Anna Jonynas pounded down a pair of kills combined with two attacking errors by the home squad put Tech up 2-0 at the break after a 25-17 win.

There were 15 ties in the third set. Tied at 20, the Huskies scored the final five points to get the victory in the first of a two-match weekend with the Cardinals. Olivia Ghormley had six kills in the third and the defense forced SVSU into six attacking errors.

Olivia Ghormley finished with a match-high 15 kills while hitting .387. Anna Jonynas also hit .300 and was in double figures with 13 kills while adding eight digs and three service aces. Morgan Radtke and Janie Grindland combined for 11 kills, two solo blocks, and five block assists.

Laura De Marchi tallied 38 assists, seven digs, and a pair of service aces. Megan Utlak had a match-high 17 digs. Maggie Petersen and Grace Novotny added seven digs each.

Tech continues its four-match road trip on Saturday (Mar. 20) against the Cardinals at James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena. First serve is set for 2 p.m.