BUTTE — It was during Thursday’s match against Northwest University that Karina Mickelson stamped her name in Montana Tech’s volleyball record book. Mickelson recorded 27 kills in that game, which puts her third all-time, just two shy of tying the record.
The success could be credited to her move back to her more natural position.
“I played right side all throughout high school and the first couple years here at Tech I played outside," said Mickelson. "But then they just switched me to right side this year, so it’s more of my comfort zone.”
It’s a move that immediately paid off for head coach Brian Solomon and his squad.
“Karina’s playing with a lot of leadership for us. And she really does have a big effect on the net, blocking and on offense," Solomon said. "So just knowing we can count on her for both of those areas is great for the team.”
Cementing her name in the record books alongside Digger greats like Collette Phillips and Maria McNeil is the end result of the countless years Mickelson has put into her craft.
“It’s crazy," Mickelson said. "It’s really awesome to see your hard work pay off.”
“I think we’re seeing just tremendous work and effort from her, which is really translating. Her offense is great, it’s really one of our primary options," said Solomon. "But you see her competing on the net, you see her competing on defense on the back row, the only thing she wants to do is win.”
