DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball squad (19-11 overall) had its 2022 campaign come to close Wednesday evening with a 3-0 loss to visiting Michigan Tech University (20-9 overall) in a GLIAC Quarterfinal match.  The Huskies advance to the semifinals after dispatching the Warriors 25-21, 25-19 and 25-19.

HOW IT HAPPENED
WSU led 10-5 in the opening set after three consecutive kills by freshman Kayla Giroux (Flat Rock, Mich.).  The Huskies won six of the next eight points to pull within one at 12-11.  After Wayne State took a 15-12 lead following a block by junior Jenna Kray (Westerville, Ohio / Worthington Christian) and graduate student Halle Shell (Port Huron, Mich. / Port Huron Northern), MTU won six straight points for an 18-15 advantage.  

The Warriors cut their deficit to one at 19-18, but the Huskies responded with three consecutive points prior to the team's alternating the final six points.  Both teams had 13 kills, but Michigan Tech hit .273 (13-4-33) compared to WSU's .158 (13-7-38).

Wayne State led 3-0 early in the second set thanks to a pair of kills by graduate student Lauren VanderWal (Caledonia, Mich.).  MTU won four of the next five points to knot the set at 4-4.  WSU answered with six straight points for a 10-4 advantage, which included a pair of kills from Shell.  The Warriors had a seven-point margin (13-7), before the Huskies claimed nine of the next 10 points for a 15-14 lead.  A kill by Shell tied the set at 16-16, but Michigan Tech won five of the next six points for a 21-17 advantage.  Wayne State won the next two points prior to MTU winning the last four points to claim the second set 25-19.  The Huskies hit .200 (14-5-45), while the WSU hit .190 (14-6-42).

The third set was tied eight times in the first 16 points, before a 4-0 run by Michigan Tech.  Back-to-back kills by Shell pulled the Warriors within two at 12-10.  MTU earned the next four points for a 16-10 advantage, prior to kills from VanderWal and senior Maddie Morrison (Flushing, Mich.).  Each team a 2-0 run making it 18-14, followed by three straight points by the Huskies.  A 4-0 spurt by Wayne State made it interesting at 21-18.  After the teams traded points, Michigan Tech won the next three points to close out the match.  WSU out-hit MTU in the third set (.250 / 14-3-44 to .239 / 16-5-46).

QUOTING COACH KOTH
"Congratulations to Michigan Tech.  Best of luck in the next round.  I'm very proud of our seniors for all the things they have accomplished both on and off the court.  Great players and even better humans."

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Giroux had a team-high 12 kills, while VanderWal notched a double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs.  Shell contributed 10 kills, with senior Maddy Benoit (Farmington, Mich. / Mercy) notching 12 digs.  Graduate dtudent Kamryn Duffield (Romeo, Mich.) dished out 30 assists.

LEADING THE HUSKIES
Meg Raabe had 13 kills and hit .400, while Jillian Kuizenga had 10 kills.  Carissa Beyer totaled 21 digs, with setter Linsa Espejo-Ramirez dishing out 34 assists.