Huskies fend off Lakers' third-set rally
SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State volleyball team opened the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference portion of the 2009 season with a 3-0 loss to Michigan Tech Friday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
An impressive home crowd of 300 fans nearly saw the Lakers (0-9 overall, 0-1 GLIAC) turn the match around after they suffered 25-15 and 25-9 losses during the first two sets. LSSU built leads of 24-22 and 25-24 during the third set, but faltered. MTU (3-6 overall, 1-0 GLIAC) closed out the match with a 28-26 win.
Sara Hess led LSSU with nine kills and a .320 attack percentage. Abby Shereda followed with six kills and a .333 attack rate. Janelle Balkwill totaled 22 assists. Jessica Ewer and Brittany Newberry combined for 23 digs. Jeanna Radzinski and Nikki Stratelak had two solo blocks each.
Kristine Sexton led MTU with 15 kills. The Huskies totaled 14 service aces.
The Lakers continue their homestand at 2 p.m. Saturday against Northern Michigan.
