DETROIT -- Fresh off a 2-1 showing at the annual Midwest Region Crossover, the Wayne State University volleyball team (14-4 overall, 6-2 GLIAC) is set for the second half of the conference season.  The Warriors' will begin that eight-match league stretch with trips to Michigan Tech on Friday (5 p.m. first serve) and Northern Michigan on Saturday (3 p.m. start).

Coach's Corner
"The team is excited for this trip to the U.P.," said head coach Tim Koth.  "We are looking forward to the experience, getting the second half of conference play started and playing two really good teams.  It should be a fun weekend."

Last Time Out
As mentioned above, Wayne State won two of its three matches at the annual Midwest Region Crossover at the Hammond Sportsplex in Hammond, Ind. last Friday and Saturday.  Seeded third in the GLIAC, the Warriors first made quick work of Rockhurst, the two seed out of the GLVC, in straight sets.  Then, WSU took on the six seed from the G-MAC, Hillsdale, and took care of business in four sets.  Playing for first overall on Saturday, Wayne State came up short against Missouri-St. Louis, winner of eight straight matches beforehand, in four sets.

All-Tournament Team
Kayla Dulgar and Paige Giehtbrock were two of seven GLIAC players named to the Midwest Region Crossover All-Tournament Team.  Dulgar finished with 136 assists (12.4 per set), 11 kills (.320 hitting percentage), 22 digs and eight total blocks in three matches.  Giehtbrock totaled 45 kills on 113 attempts (.265 hitting percentage), four service aces, 22 digs and four total blocks in her trio of outings.  That marked the second All-Tournament Team of the season for each of them as the setter was recognized for the Warrior Invitational while the outside hitter was honored for Daemen's Wildcat Classic.

Scouting Michigan Tech (7-11 overall, 4-3 GLIAC)
Michigan Tech has lost five matches in a row, but had won four straight prior to that, under first-year head coach Cindy Pindral.  Pindral returned to the Huskies after being an Assistant Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and Volunteer Coach with the Huskies for seven seasons from 2016 to 2022.  This fall, only three of MTU's 18 matches have come at home where the team has gone 2-1.

Individually, starting on the offensive side of the ball, four Huskies have surpassed 100 kills including junior outside hitter Jacqueline Yancy (175), junior right side Rachel Zurek (175), freshman outside Madelyn Torola (107) and sophomore middle blocker Paige Wagner (107).  Facilitating the attack have been a pair of setters in junior Tess Hayes (383 assists) and rookie Madelynn Kreider (238 assists).  Behind the service line, Wagner has led the way with 18 aces to her name.  Defensively, senior libero Julia Fledderjohn (262 digs) and Wager (61 total blocks) are the ringleaders.

Scouting Northern Michigan (8-11 overall, 5-2 GLIAC)
After winning its season opener, Northern Michigan dropped nine matches in a row.  Under ninth-year head coach Mike Lozier (140-99 overall record), a former Wayne State assistant, the Wildcats then proceeded to win six straight and seven of the next nine.  NMU has played just two (2-0) of its 19 matches on its home court.

One-upping the Huskies, five Wildcats have at least 100 kills so far this season.  Those five include senior middle McKenzie Gruner (191), sophomore opposite Madison York (139), freshman outside Kaylie McIntosh (135), junior outside Kaysie Bakke (120) and redshirt sophomore middle Emilia Gulock (101).  Running point for the offense has been junior setter Allie Barlow (627 assists) while junior libero Liesl Haugen has been the best behind the service line (19 aces).  Defensively, Haugen (235 digs) and Gruner (52 total blocks) have stood out.