Box Score SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The 20th-ranked Lawrence Technological (Mich.) University women's volleyball team defeated Indiana Tech 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 25-18) in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference semifinal. Lawrence Tech now plays in their first ever WHAC Tournament Championship match, meeting Madonna (Mich.) University on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. in Don Ridler Field House.
Lawrence Tech (31-2) continues its historic run as they received their WHAC Regular Season Championship trophy prior to tip. The energy seemed to propel the Blue Devils to a 6-0 lead in the opening set. Indiana Tech responded, cutting the lead to the two at 7-5, but an 11-3 run extended the Blue Devils lead to 18-8. The Warriors again mounted a comeback, cutting the LTU lead to four at 22-18. However it was Lawrence Tech that took the set, 25-20 to go up 1-0 in the match.
In the second set, it was more of the same for Lawrence Tech as they jumped out to an 8-2 lead before the Warriors came storming back to tie the set at 11-11. The set went back-and-forth until Lawrence Tech was able to secure the set on a kill from Zakia Hunt to take a 2-0 lead off a 25-22 set win.
Indiana Tech (26-10) took the third set from the Blue Devils as they built a 16-10 lead before taking the set 25-18 and cutting the lead to 2-1. In the fourth set, Lawrence Tech showed their moxie as they took a 9-3 lead to quell any Warriors momentum from the third set. The Blue Devils extended their lead to 19-9 as they went on to seal their first championship match appearance with a 25-18 win, taking the match 3-1.
Zakia Hunt led the way Lawrence Tech with 18 kills and a .343 hitting percentage while Kristi Doherty recorded 37 assists and six kills. Jessica Lodge added four aces to go with eight kills while Isabella McDonald finished with 12 kills. Shelby Rasch added 19 digs and four assists in the win.
The Blue Devils now face Madonna, who beat Lourdes in the first semifinal match 3-1. This is the first appearance in the championship match for Lawrence Tech while Madonna has earned 10 WHAC Tournament Championships since 1998.
