MIDLAND, Mich. – The Lake Superior State volleyball team took on the Timberwolves of Northwood University in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Friday, November 3rd. Northwood (13-11, 5-8 GLIAC) rode the strength of a 25-14 win in the first set to defeat the Lakers (3-20, 1-13 GLIAC) in straight sets (25-14, 25-21, 25-22).
The first set saw the Timberwolves jump out to a 12-3 lead on Lake Superior. Although the Lakers got some points back on the strength of kills by Amanda Reid, Jena Tulgestke and Elizabeth Ballor, the big early lead for Northwood was too much to overcome for Lake Superior.
In the second set, Lake Superior managed to hold with the Timberwolves early on, tying the set on a service ace from Madison Castle. Northwood then went on a short scoring run, only to see the Lakers answer again, as the Lakers tied it up at 17 with a kill courtesy of Brooke Williams. Despite keeping the score close late, the T'Wolves earned 3 of the last 4 points to claim the second set by a 25-21 margin.
To start the third set, Northwood put the Lakers behind 11-5 early. Although the Lakers managed to hang with the Timberwolves point for point from that point, they still trailed 19-12 before Lake Superior rattled off 5 consecutive points to help close the gap. A kill by Williams pulled the Lakers within one point, making the score 23-22 in favor of the T'Wolves. Northwood, however, earned the final two points, claiming the set and the match.
Leading the Lakers were Williams with 10.5 points, and Reid with 9.5. Paige Gotham racked up 15 digs, and Madision Castle had 15 assists. Karlee Weissend had 3 of the Lakers' 6 blocks.
Northwood was led stastically by Mackenzie Kelper with 15 points, and Allison Getty with 14 points (plus 11 digs). Hailey Jones had 32 assists.
Lake Superior returns to the court again on Saturday, November 4th, when they travel to Big Rapids to take on the GLIAC North-leading Ferris State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs (18-6 11-2 GLIAC) are coming off of a 3-0 win over Saginaw Valley State. First serve is at 3 p.m. in Big Rapids.