The Lake Superior State (LSSU) volleyball program (5-6, 2-1 GLIAC) faced a 3-0 setback at the hands of Grand Valley State (GVSU) (9-1, 2-1 GLIAC) on Friday, September 27th.

GVSU got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 10-4 lead, but LSSU responded with a 3-0 scoring spurt of their own that was capped off with a service ace from Vanessa Swerdon (Toronto, Ont.). Grand Valley was able to pull ahead again, but Lake State kept hanging around with kills from Valeriya Varnakova (Ufa, Russia) and Mariana Velasque (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). However, despite a late rally to close the gap, GVSU managed to hold on to take the opening set 25-19.

GVSU was once again able to take an early lead, but LSSU battled back with a service ace from Shea Berisoff (Kelowna, B.C.). However, Grand Valley managed to pull back in front, and despite kills from Morgan Deming (Boyne City, Mich.) and Gia Waters (Minneapolis, Minn.), GVSU would ultimately claim the second set 25-18.

Grand Valley opened up the third set with a 5-1 run, but Lake State responded with a 6-0 run of their own to go in front with an ace from Avery Headworth (Grand Rapids, Mich.). GVSU went out in front again with a 5-0 run, but after trading points, LSSU bounced back with a 6-1 run to tie up the score at 19-19 behind multiple kills from Velasque. However, Grand Valley was able to push back ahead, and despite a late rally that featured a pair of kills from Deming, GVSU was able to close out the set and the match with respective scores of 25-22 and 3-0.

Velasque led the LSSU offense with 10 kills on the day, and Headworth boasted the team lead in assists with 13. Meanwhile, libero Ally Lasley (Birch Run, Mich.) recorded 12 digs while Swerdon contributed 11 assists and 3 service aces.

LSSU will look to bounce back when they host the Wayne State Warriors on Saturday, Sept. 28 with the first serve scheduled for 3:30 p.m.