Houghton, Mich – No. 19 Michigan Tech fell 3-0 to Grand Valley State on Saturday at SDC Gym. The Lakers won 25-22, 25-13 and 26-24. The Huskies are now 6-3 overall and 0-2 in the GLIAC.
“I thought it was a better effort than last night,” Tech coach Matt Jennings said. “I saw some fights in the team that made a difference in each set. Grand Valley is a very good team and they played well.”
GVSU (7-3, 1-1 GLIAC) tallied 19 kills in the opening set. It was six matches before the visitors took a seven-point lead at 20-13. After GVSU got to the point, the Huskies showed life late with three straight points, but the Lakers closed it out 25-22. Carissa Beyer had nine digs in the first.
The Lakers hit .441 in second and Kendall Stover had six kills. GVSU closed out the rally with a 9-1 run to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
The third set has eight connections. Morgan Radtke had a kill to tie the game at 24 before back-to-back blocks by GVSU closed out the game. Johnny Grindland struck out four in the third.
Janie Grindland led the Huskies with nine kills and Meg Rabe added eight. Olivia Heidel made her first start as a setter and finished with 28 assists and nine digs. Carissa Beyer paced the defense with 13 digs.
“I thought Olivia came in and did a great job in her first start,” Jennings added. “Janny is doing a great job. I don’t know how much more we can ask of her. She’s leading this team the best way she can with great attitude and hard work.”
Tech continues its four-game homestand Friday by hosting Ferris State. Lake Superior State comes to SDC Gym on Saturday.
“We’ve got talent and when we play hard, we’re going to be strong,” Jennings said.
