HOUGHTON, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) volleyball team (3-10, 2-3 GLIAC) fell to the Michigan Tech Huskies (5-9, 3-3 GLIAC) on the road by a final score of 3-1 on Friday.
Hannah Callaway (Portage, Mich.) opened up the scoring for the Lakers with a strong kill from the right side as both teams felt each other out early, but the Huskies were able to push ahead, twice leading the set by as many as seven points. However, the Lakers would bounce back with an 8-2 scoring spurt to get back to within one after multiple kills from Emilee McDaniel (Manistique, Mich.), but despite a Maggie Morris (Schoolcraft, Mich.) bringing the score to 22-23, the Huskies were able to close out the opening set by a score of 25-22.
The Lakers were able to take an early 7-4 advantage to start the second set after a kill from true freshman Rachel Steele (Eaton Rapids, Mich.), but the Huskies rallied back to cut the lead down to one. LSSU would then take back the momentum as back-to-back kills from McDaniel closed out a 7-2 Laker scoring run. Both teams would keep battling, but the Lakers would ultimately claim the second set after Callaway and McDaniel combined on a block to end the set at 25-21.
The Lakers would again take the early lead in the third set as multiple kills and an ace from Mariana Velasque (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) propelled her team to an 8-3 lead. The Huskies were able to fight back, but the Lakers continued to nurse a slim lead throughout the set before it was ultimately tied at 19-19. However, Michigan Tech would close out the set by a score of 25-21.
The Huskies would take the early advantage in the fourth set, but the Lakers would keep fighting with a kill from Morris and an ace from Jordyn Haller (Sault Ste. Marie). However, despite a pair of kills from McDaniel and a Vanessa Swerdon ace (Toronto, Ont.), Michigan Tech would ultimately take the fourth set to secure the victory 3-1.
Despite the loss, three Lakers (Velasque, Morris, and McDaniel) would finish the day with double-digit kills. Meanwhile, Emily Kalinowski (South Lyon, Mich.) notched 45 assists, which moves her into the top five in LSSU career assists, while also supporting her team defensively with 15 digs for the double-double. Libero Ally Lasley (Birch Run, Mich.) would also lead all players in digs with 18.
The Lakers will look to bounce back when they take on the Northern Michigan Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 29 with the first serve scheduled for 3:30 p.m.