SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Lake Superior State women's volleyball team took on the Bulldogs of Ferris State in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Friday night at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium.  The highly-touted Bulldogs kept their perfect record in conference play intact, defeating the Lakers in straight sets (25-18, 25-20, 25-14) before a crowd of 240 onlookers.

The Bulldogs (12-2, 6-0 GLIAC), who came into the contest ranked eighth in the country among Division II schools, benefitted from a .288 attack percentage, compared to .103 for the Lakers (1-11, 0-6 GLIAC). 

Play was close to start the first set, as neither team was able to separate themselves early.  Gradually, however, the Bulldogs pulled away from the Lakers.  On the strength of a 9-3 run, Ferris State claimed victory in the first set, 25-18.

In the second set, the Bulldogs continued to roll, establishing an 8-2 lead early.  Lake Superior, determined to not go quietly, went on a productive run of its own.  The run was capped off by a kill by Brooke Williams, eventually making the score 22-19 in favor of Ferris State.  The visitors, however, scored three of the last four points of the set, prevailing 25-20.

The third set started off much like the first set, with the Lakers and Bulldogs responding to nearly each point scored by the other team.  After a service error by Brewer to make the score 17-13 Bulldogs, Ferris State went on an 8-1 run to finish the set and the match.

The Lakers were led by sophomore outside hitter Amanda Reid, with seven kills, 11 digs, a .222 attack percentage, and a team high eight points.  Junior libero Paige Gotham had a match high 22 digs.  Junior setter Lauren Lukasik led the Lakers with 13 assists, and senior middle blocker Elizabeth Ballor was responsible for the only solo block by Lake Superior.

Ferris State was led by Brewer, who had 12 kills (a match high) and 17 digs.  Teammate Lauren Reminga also had 17 digs.  Maeve Grimes had 33 assists.  Benefitting from their attack percentage, Ferris State had three players finish with double digit point totals, as Courtney Brewer had a match high 14 points, Ayanna Buckley with 11, and Maria Kronner with 10.5.

The Lakers are back in action tomorrow afternoon, September 30th, against Northwood.  The Timberwolves (7-7, 1-5 GLIAC) are coming off of a win against Saginaw Valley State, their first conference win of the 2017 season.  Game time is 2 p.m. at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium.