SOMERS, Wis.- Lake Superior State volleyball dropped both matches Saturday at the Wisconsin-Parkside Invitational. The Lakers (1-7) fell in straight sets with a 3-0 loss (25-13, 25-13, 25-13) against Minnesota State- Moorhead before a 3-0 loss (25-17, 25-9, 25-15) against Upper Iowa capped the winless weekend.
Game 1 MSUM 3 – LSSU 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13)
The Lakers had an effective attack during the first set, posting 10 kills on 26 attacks and just five errors. However, the LSSU offense sputtered during the final two sets with seven errors in both sets and just five and six kills during the second and third sets, respectively.
Sophomore outside hitter Jena Tulgestke led the Lakers with five kills, while Brooke Williams and Karlee Weissend each added four kills. Junior setter Madison Castle posted a team-high nine assists, followed by Lauren Lukasik's eight assists. Lukasik led the LSSU defense with 11 digs.
The Dragons (5-2) were able to impose their will offensively, totaling a .430 attack-percentage with 46 kills and only conceding nine errors. MSUM was led by Taylor Liesemeyer's match -high 12 kills and Sarah Hagler's 11 kills. Makayla Wenzel dished out 41 assists for the Dragons.
Game 2 UI 3 - LSSU 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-15)
The Peacocks (5-3) used 42 kills and a .476 attack-percentage to breeze past the Lakers in straight sets. Upper Iowa also had nine service aces, led by Ashley Larson's match-high four aces. Larson also reached double digits with 11 digs defensively.
LSSU produced a .098 attack-percentage with 23 kills but defensively were unable to withstand the attack.
Freshman Amanda Reid led the Lakers with five kills. Morgan Kelley, Williams, Weissend, Tulgestke and Liz Ballor all contributed three kills each. Castle and Lukasik tied for the team lead with 10 assists. Castle also led the Lakers with two service aces.
Chelsea Berry produced 10 kills and Malissa LeClaire tallied 26 assists to lead the Peacocks.
The Lakers return home to open play against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rivals Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech next weekend. LSSU host the Wildcats at 7 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 16) and face the Huskies at 3 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 17).
