MARQUETTE – With television viewers tuning in around the Upper Peninsula Tuesday night, volleyball archrivals Michigan Tech University and Northern Michigan University took to the court at Vandament Arena.

In the end, it was the Huskies’ fans who were howling with delight as Tech swept the Wildcats 25-18, 25-17, 25-23.

The Huskies were led by Mariah Sherman and Aubrey Ficek, who finished with 12 kills apiece.

Tech head coach Matt Jennings was pleased with how his team performed and said the teams were evenly matched.

“This was a nice night,” he said. “Even though all but two of our matches this year have been three (sets), I still don’t believe that the game is meant to be played in three sets. I think that when you are evenly matched, it usually goes more.

“I think we played fantastic. I really think it was a good win. I have a lot of respect for Northern. They played a good game, but we came to play tonight.”

For Northern, it was a frustrating night as the Wildcats were inconsistent with their play for most of the match.

“I think we made too many unforced errors,” Wildcats head coach Dominic Yoder said. “I think that’s where we struggled tonight.

“I think we did a nice job siding out at times, but then other times, I don’t think we made the right shot,” he added.

“I thought our serve receive was pretty solid and it gave our setter an opportunity to be able to side-out for us. Our serving was good at times, but for the most part, we need to improve upon it.”

NMU was lead by Madison Whitehead, who picked up 11 kills. Kayla Chosa and Lisa Studnicka chipped in 10 and nine kills, respectively, for the Wildcats.

The first set stayed reasonably close for the first few points.

Tech (12-2) took a 6-3 advantage on back-to-back kills by Sherman and the Huskies went on two short runs to go up by as many as nine points.

NMU pulled within five on a kill by Anna Aycock, but Tech closed the set comfortably thanks to some quality play from its front line.

“Our front line is athletic,” Jennings said. “One thing that I really respect about Dominick’s program is the physicality that they have. We try to match that with speed and athleticism. I think it’s working out for us so far this year.”

In the second frame, the Huskies opened on a roll, jumping out to a 13-4 lead. NMU tried valiantly to close the gap and cut the deficit to six on a block by Kayla Chosa. However, Tech wouldn’t be denied and the Huskies went up 2-0 in the match.

The Wildcats (10-4) got off to a solid start in the third set as they tried to keep the match alive.

Back-to-back kills by Autumn Monsma and Chosa put NMU up 10-8. After Tech tied the match at 11-11, a strong kill by Whitehead gave the Wildcats a one-point advantage.

That was the last lead NMU held in the match. Tech took the lead on a kill by Sylvie Rokosh and got to match point with a kill by Lauren Emmert.

The Wildcats fought back, getting three straight points, but a kill by Tech’s Stephanie Dietrich closed out the match.

When asked what his team needs to do to improve before its next match, Yoder emphasized the importance of energy.

“We just need to have no fear,” he said. “Just go out there and play with high energy. I think that’s where we were a little bit lacking (tonight).”

NMU travels to Hillsdale Friday, while Tech heads to Findlay (Ohio).

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.