BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The Michigan Tech volleyball team improved to 7-3 in fifth-set matches after defeating Ferris State in a special Friday matinee match at the Ewigleben Sports Arena. With the win, the Huskies (14-12, 10-5) earned a split of the season series with the Bulldogs (18-10, 9-6) and moved one step closer to hosting a home playoff match.

"We were really pleased to avenge our earlier season loss to Ferris today," said Tech coach Orlando Gonzalez. "It was a great win today in a tough environment against a tough team."

Ferris State won game one (25-22) before Tech rallied to win the next two (25-22, 25-12). The Bulldogs won game four (25-23) to force a fifth game which the Huskies won 15-11.

The two teams finished the match nearly even statistically, though the Bulldogs did commit 12 service errors to the Huskies' five.

Senior Veronica Armstrong led all Tech players in kills with 15 and added 12 digs to complete the double-double.

Junior Melissa Axtell and sophomore Kristine Sexton each chipped in 13 kills for the Huskies.

Freshman Madeline Haben also recorded a double-double thanks to 47 assists and 11 digs, and senior Kaari Nevanen added a match-high 15 digs.

Arielle Goodson led the Bulldogs with a match-high 20 kills.

The win moves Michigan Tech into a tie with Grand Valley State for third place in the GLIAC North. The two teams will play today at 4 p.m. If Tech wins today and Ferris beats Northern Michigan, the Huskies will take second place in the division and host Northern Michigan on Wednesday.