GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Davenport University women's volleyball team extended its winning streak to seven matches after rallying to defeat Michigan Tech in five sets (25-20, 22-25, 18-25, 25-21, 15-10) on Friday. After falling behind 2-1, the Panthers overcame an 18-16 deficit in the fourth set before hitting .348 in the decisive fifth frame.
Davenport used an 8-0 run to take control of the opening set. After an
Abby Alan kill regained serve, Kierra Dommer served seven consecutive points to turn a 14-12 deficit into a 20-14 advantage. The run featured a Dommer ace, three block-assisted points from
Mariya Montgomery and two kills from Alan. An MTU service error later secured the Panthers' 25-20 win.
Michigan Tech responded by taking the second set 25-22. The Huskies built a 24-18 advantage before Davenport fought off four set points behind contributions from
Karley Pretzer, Montgomery,
Jaide Wirth and Dommer. However, Rachel Zurek ended the comeback attempt with the set-clinching kill.
The Huskies carried their momentum into the third set, scoring the first five points on their way to a 25-18 victory. Davenport pulled within one at 6-5 but was unable to complete the comeback. Pretzer recorded four kills in the frame, while Montgomery and Wirth combined for a late block.
Facing a 2-1 deficit in the match, the Panthers erased an 18-16 deficit in the fourth set. Wirth tied the score at 18-18 with a kill before Dommer delivered consecutive service aces to give Davenport a 20-18 lead. Alan followed with a kill, while a block from
Amelia Werner and Savannah Weathers helped the Panthers force a fifth set with a 25-21 win.
Davenport took control of the final set after the teams traded points through a 5-5 tie. Werner recorded a kill and a service ace to put the Panthers ahead 7-5 before Montgomery and Weathers helped extend the advantage. Michigan Tech pulled within two at 12-10, but Weathers answered with three consecutive kills to seal the 15-10 victory.
Weathers led Davenport with a career-high 15 kills and 17.5 points while adding five block assists and six digs. Dommer finished with 24 assists, six service aces and 13 digs, while
Hayley Carr collected a team-high 16 digs. Montgomery totaled six blocks and hit .400 with five kills.
The Panthers return to action Saturday at 3 p.m. ET against Purdue Northwest in Hammond, Indiana.
