BIG RAPIDS, Mich.- Lake Superior State volleyball opened the 2016 season with a pair of losses at the Ferris State Volleyball Invitational on Friday. The Lakers (0-2) began the day with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-17) loss to Winona State in their morning match before falling 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-23) against Minnesota-Crookston in their afternoon contest.
Game 1
The Lakers struggled to defend a Warriors (1-0) attack that produced 14 kills on 29 attacks, with just five errors in the first set for a .310 attack percentage. LSSU attackers had eight kills and five errors in 30 attempts for a .100 clip.
WSU claimed the first set 25-15. With the score deadlocked at 8-8 early in the set, the Warriors scored six-straight points, including three consecutive service aces by Maria Fruechte.
Both sides suffered from attack errors in the second set with the Lakers forcing 11 and the Warriors making 10. WSU maintained a six-point advantage through much of the middle set and cruised to the 25-20 victory.
The Warriors also claimed the third and final set 25-17 to close out the 3-0 match victory.
The Lakers were led offensively by sophomore transfer Morgan Kelley's eight kills. Brooke Williams finished with four kills while Karlee Weissend, Elizabeth Ballor and Amanda reid each delivered three kills each. Spreading the attack, junior Madison Castle and newcomer Lauren Lukasik each had eleven assists while splitting time at the setter position. Junior libero Justice Kjolhede made nine digs to lead the Lakers defensively
Offensively the Warrios were led by Taylor Goar's 12 kills and Danielle Rampart's 11 kills and .526 attack percentage. Meghan Seymour led the Warriors with 17 assists.
Game 2
In the day's second match the Lakers again struggled with attack errors, totaling nine errors and only six kills in the first set and five errors with four kills in the second set.
UMC (1-1) took the first and second set by scored of 25-15 and 25-13, respectively.
The teams exchanged leads throughout the third and final set, with the Lakers building a three-point lead with an early 9-6 advantage, thanks in part to a pair of kills from freshman Caitlyn Kane.
With the third set tied 11-11 Sabrina Leur's kill gave the Golden Eagles their first lead in the set. A pair of receiving errors on serves by Ali Schueler put the Lakers behind 14-11.
The Lakers and Golden Eagles continued to trade points through the waning moments of the set, but UMC was able to hold on late for the 25-23 final in the third set.
Kane led the Lakers with five kills, followed by Jena Tulgestke with four kills and Ballor, Kelley Weissend each totaling three kills. Kjolhede led the back line again with 11 digs and Castle produced eight assists to lead the team.
Maggie Perrel led the Golden Eagles with nine kills, while Sierra Trost led UMC with 24 assists.
The Lakers continue the two-day FSU Volleyball Invitational Saturday when they take on West Virginia State at 9:30 a.m. and Minnesota Duluth at 2:30 p.m. Full results and information on the FSU Volleyball Invitational can be found at http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/wvball/2016-17/releases/20160827z1cep7.
