SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Taking on the Northern Michigan Wildcats in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play, the Lake Superior State volleyball team played in the first game of their final home series of the 2017 season. Propelled by a .429 attack percentage, the Wildcats (17-6, 9-3 GLIAC) defeated the Lakers (3-18, 1-11 GLIAC) in straight sets (25-13, 25-13, 25-18).
In the first set, Northern Michigan jumped out to a 13-5 lead. Despite earning the next three points (including a service ace by Lauren Lukasik), the Lakers were unable to claw their way back into the set, as the 'Cats earned 7 of the last 9 points in the set en route to a 25-13 win.
Northern Michigan started the second set on a 10-2 run. Back-to-back kills by senior middle blocker Elizabeth Ballor momentarily slowed down the Wildcats' momentum. After another service ace by Lukasik, however, Northern Michigan scored the next seven points to put the set out of reach, claiming the second set by the same 25-13 score as the first.
The third set saw the Wildcats score the first four points. The Lakers fought back, however, and sat within one point after an attack error by the 'Cats made the score 12-11 in favor of the visitors. Northern Michigan held the Lakers to 7 points the rest of the way, as the Wildcats claimed the third set by a 25-18 score.
Amanda Reid led the Lakers with 6 points, followed by Jen Marren with 5. Reid and Paige Gotham each had 7 digs, while Lukasik had 9 assists.
Northern Michigan was led by Kayla Chosa, who had 15 points, while Jamie Hogeboom put up 31 assists. Rachel Braunschweig had 12 digs for the Wildcats. As a team, Northern Michigan put up 9 blocks.
The Lakers will play their final home match of the 2017 season on Saturday, October 28th against Michigan Tech. During the game, the Lakers will honor their six seniors: Justice Kjolhede, Elizabeth Ballor, Madison Castle, Brooke Williams, Jen Marren and Karlee Weissend. The match against the Huskies (15-8, 9-3 GLIAC), who are coming off of a 3-1 win against Saginaw Valley, will begin tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Cooper Gym.