SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - The Lawrence Technological (Mich.) University volleyball team defeated University of Northwestern Ohio 3-0 in the first round of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament this evening at the Don Ridler Field House. This is the first time in program's history that the Blue Devils make it to the second round.

Lawrence Tech (22-11, 14-6) started the match on a strong note, taking an 11-1 lead and expanding it to 22-8 as Reinali Calisin (FR/Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) served the Blue Devils into a 14 point lead. University of Northwestern Ohio (26-9, 13-7) mounted a comeback and cut the lead to 23-14. However, Lawrence Tech closed the first set with two straight points to win 25-14.

The Blue Devils opened the second set with a 3-0 lead, but the Racers tied it at 3-3 with an attack error by Isabella McDonald (SO/Farmington, Mich.). Lawrence Tech and UNOH played a back-and-forth second set with eight ties and neither team gaining more than a three-point advantage. The Blue Devils broke open a 22-22 tie with three straight points after three kills by McDonald, Dacey Cook (SR/Potterville, Mich.) and Kristi Doherty (JR/Davison, Mich.) to close the set 25-22.

Lawrence Tech dominated the third set, as they opened it with an 8-1 lead. The Racers cut the lead to 16-11 but later on the Blue Devils put together an 8-2 run to close the set 25-16. Zakia Hunt (JR/Livonia, Mich.) led the team with eight blocks and a 0.333 hitting percentage on eight kills. Brittany Schmidt (SR/Richmond, Mich.) and McDonald added 12 and seven kills respectively. Doherty had a team-high 27 assists.

Lawrence Tech will be back on the court Friday, November 9 when they visit Aquinas (Mich.) College at 7:30 p.m. in Grand Rapids, Mich. to play the second round of the WHAC Tournament.

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