BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) volleyball team (6-17, 3-9 GLIAC) fell on the road to the No. 17 Ferris State Bulldogs (19-4, 12-0 GLIAC) by a final score of 3-0 on Monday.
The Bulldogs got off to a fast start in the opening set, but the Lakers were able to close the gap with a pair of kills from true freshman Morgan Deming (Boyne City, Mich.). However, despite a late rally that featured a service ace from Mariana Velasque (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Ferris State would ultimately claim the first set by a score of 25-19.
The Lakers were able to take the first two points of the second set with kills from Deming and Velasque, but the Bulldogs responded with a run of their own. LSSU fought back with a 4-1 run to retake the lead that was kickstarted by a kill from Rachel Steele (Eaton Rapids, Mich.). However, the Bulldogs would again respond, and despite multiple kills from Steele and Hannah Callaway (Portage, Mich.), Ferris State was able to take a 2-0 lead in the match after claiming the second set by a score of 25-18.
LSSU would take the early lead in the third set, going up by as many as three points after a service ace from Emily Kalinowski (South Lyon, Mich.). However, the Bulldogs were able to keep hanging around, and they managed to string together a 4-0 scoring spurt to take the lead. The Lakers were able to keep the set close with a 4-1 run behind multiple kills from Emilee McDaniel (Manistique, Mich.) who was responsible for three of LSSU's final four points of the match, but Ferris State would ultimately close out the set and the match by respective scores of 25-21 and 3-0.
As a team, the Lakers were able to match the Bulldogs kill for kill with each team totalling 37 with Velasque and Deming each having nine to tie for the game-high. Meanwhile, Kalinowski led all players in assists with 31 while also tying Ally Lasley (Birch Run, Mich.) for the team-lead in digs with eight.
The Lakers return to action on Friday, Oct. 27 when they travel to take on the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals with the first serve scheduled for 5 p.m.