Mike Barrett, LSSULakers.com
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — After a narrow defeat at the hands of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe Northwood, the Lake Superior State volleyball team took on league leader Ferris State in league action Saturday, October 27th at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium. The 10th-ranked Bulldogs (21-4, 14-0 GLIAC) defeated the Lakers (5-21, 2-13 GLIAC) in straight sets (25-11, 25-21, 25-17).
While the first set saw the Bulldogs control the play throughout en route to a 25-11 set win, the second set saw Lake Superior hang around and keep the score close. Coming out of a timeout, the Lakers rallied to within one point at 22-21. Unfortunately for the home team, Ferris State took the next three points for a 25-21 win. The Lakers hung with the Bulldogs for much of the third set before Ferris State pulled away for a 25-17 set win and 3-0 match victory.
Leading the Lakers were freshman Abby Beachnau, with 10 kills and 10.5 points, as well as seniors Paige Gotham with 12 digs and Mikala Williams with 11 digs.
Ferris State was led by Allyson Cappel with 13 kills, followed by Mekayla Carey, who had 12. Katie Placek came up with 24 digs.
The Bulldogs put up a .250 kill percentage, while the Lakers produced a .017 clip.
The Lakers play their final match of the 2018 season on Saturday, November 3rd, when they host Saginaw Valley State. The Cardinals and Lakers faced each other back on September 11th, where Saginaw Valley prevailed in five sets on the Cardinals' home court in University Center, Michigan.
Following the game, the Lakers will honor their graduating seniors. Morgan Kelley, Jena Tulgestke, Lauren Lukasik, Williams and Gotham will be recognized for their contributions to the Laker volleyball program.
In addition, a pregame recognition of two past volleyball players will take place. Margaret "Mugs" Olson-Pollard (1977-81) and Jean (Carbeno) Kreidler (1980-84) will be inducted into the LSSU Athletics Hall of Fame later that day.
First serve is at 2:00 p.m. EST. Tickets may be purchased at the Norris Center Ticket Office or at lssulakers.com/tickets.