MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State volleyball team (0-1) fell to the Upper Iowa Peacocks (1-0) in their season opener at the Northern Michigan Open 3-0 on Thursday.
The Peacocks opened the match on a 5-0 run, but the Lakers were able to strike back with a pair of consecutive points to trim the deficit to three. Upper Iowa would respond, but the Lakers would utilize a 4-1 run to stay within striking distance. Despite the continued attack from the Peacocks, Emilee McDaniel (Manistique, Mich.) would not be denied as she tacked on a pair of kills as the Lakers rallied. However, it would not be enough as Upper Iowa claimed the first set by a score of 25-14.
The Second set would start off close as a kill from Jordyn Haller (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) had the Lakers within one point, but the Peacocks were able to extend their lead with a 10-2 run. A block from Emily Kalinowski (South Lyon, Mich.) would then energize the Lakers, and after a timeout, kills from Taylor Fleming (Rogers City, Mich.) and Haller propelled the Lakers to a 3-1 run. However, despite another pair of kills from Fleming and McDaniel off of assists from Kalinowski, Upper Iowa was able to hold on to take the second set 25-12.
The Peacocks were able to claim the first point of the third set, but McDaniel was there to tie up the score. Then, after fending off a few block attempts from Upper Iowa, a kill from Ally Lasley (Birch Run, Mich.) led to back-to-back Laker points before McDaniel and Maggie Morris (Schoolcraft, Mich.) earned points of their own to keep the set close. The Peacocks were able to push ahead, but Haller was there with a pair of kills in response that ignited a 6-1 run for the Lakers. Fleming would then press the attack with back-to-back kills to cut the lead down to two. Upper Iowa was able to end the run, but Olivia Boutorwick (Macomb, Mich.) asserted herself with an answer before combining with McDaniel for a pair of kills as the Lakers rallied. However, despite the fierce attack, the Peacocks held on to claim the third set by a score of 25-20 and the match 3-0.
McDaniel led the attack with eight kills and a solo block. Haller and Fleming were right behind her with six kills each with the latter also adding 11 digs to lead the team. Kalinowski was also able to distribute the ball well for 23 assists while also picking up a solo block defensively.
The Lakers will look to bounce back on Friday, Aug. 26 when they take on the Central Oklahoma Bronchos at 11 a.m. on the second day of the Northern Michigan Open.