The NI
men’s volleyball team traveled to Houghton for a matchup with the MTU Huskies.
These matches between MTU and NI have always been well contested with a great
healthy rivalry. Micah Herron, a senior captain, commented, “We just enjoy
playing them because we know they are going to bring it, and we have to be ready
as well. As soon as the match is over though, we are able to converse and
appreciate each other’s efforts”
In this
particular contest, the Pioneers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory,
losing the match 25–22, 21–25, 21–25, 25–16, and 14–16. NI controlled play in the
first set with a comfortable four- to five-point lead. MTU turned up the heat on the NI
serve receive and took set numbers two and three relatively easily. Coach Herron commented, “We
could not pass or dig in system, and when we did get some flow, an easy ball
found its way to our floor and ruined our rhythm.” Set four went to the NI side
as they changed the lineup for a better matchup and won, 25–16, with good offense. Set five had the Pioneers encouraged to get ahead at the court switch.
An 8–5 lead in the last set was nurtured to an 11–7 margin. Andrew Schilling,
another senior captain, said afterward, “We were winning our matchups that
Coach Herron put us in, and then we couldn’t serve receive well.” The biggest
reason was MTU’s Mike Clark who was serving “top spin heaters” from the Husky
service line. MTU caught up at 11–11 went in front by 13–11. Stephen Yates hit a
back row attack to get NI within one at 12–13. Micah Herron followed with a
put away to even it at 13–13. Clark then went to the service line, and the
Pioneers were outscored, 3–1, as match point sailed way wide from an NI hitter.
Micah Herron had 22 kills and 9 digs; Stephen Yates had 12 kills and 7 digs;
and Ike Cummins had 7 kills and 4 blocks. Andrew Schilling contributed 56 assists
for the Pioneers. NI is now 7–6 overall and 4–2 in WVC play. Coach Herron
summarized, “We will see how we respond; winners with character find a way to
recover and be ready for the next challenge. Whiners with no character simply
make excuses and hang their head. God has blessed us with talent and
opportunity; we must take advantage.”
The NI “B”
team, coached by Barb Herron, took three straight sets from the Huskies by scores of
25–16, 25–20, and 25–17. Byron Aynes led the Pioneers with 27 assists; Cory
Jones was the best OH with 11 kills, followed by Jason Lorch with 8 kills in the
middle.
The Pioneer
men entertain Moody and UW Stout on Friday, February 25, at 5 and 8:30 p.m. They then host
Moody and UWGB on Saturday February 26, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.