MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) volleyball program (0-4) fell to the Winona State Warriors (4-0) in four sets in their final match of the U.P. Open, hosted by Northern Michigan University, on Saturday.
The Warriors jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the opening set, but the Lakers would then strike back in force with a 9-2 run to take a 13-10 lead behind multiple kills from true freshman Rachel Steele (Eaton Rapids, Mich.). The Warriors would tie up the score, but the Lakers continued to battle with kills from Hannah Calloway (Portage, Mich.) and Sydney Briney (St. Joseph) helping to nurse a one-point advantage. Winona State did ultimately manage to take the lead, but the Lakers again countered, this time with a kill from Maggie Morris (Schoolcraft, Mich.) and an Ally Lasley (Birch Run, Mich.) service ace to tie the score at 20-20. Then, Morris would take over with back-to-back service aces before Mariana Velasque (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) put the set away by a score of 25-22.
The Warriors struck back early in the second set, but the Lakers were able to hang around behind kills from Emilee McDaniel (Manistique, Mich.) and Morris. However, despite back-to-back points from McDaniel late in the set, Winona State would ultimately tie up the match at 1-1 after claiming the second set 25-15.
Winona State would once again take an early lead in the third, but LSSU continued to stay within striking distance. Then, they would seize their opportunity as the Lakers fought back with a 5-0 run that featured an ace from Jordyn Haller (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) to take a 15-14 lead. Both teams would go back-and-forth for the remainder of the set with a kill from Velasque helping LSSU to a 23-22 advantage. However, the Warriors were able to secure the three points they needed to narrowly steal the set by a score of 25-23.
With their backs against the wall, the Lakers raced ahead to an early 8-2 lead in the fourth set behind a pair of kills from Valeriya Varnakova, and a service ace from sophomore Vanessa Swerdon (Toronto, Ont.) would see LSSU gain a 12-8 advantage. However, the Warriors would dig in with a 9-0 run, and despite strong kills from Velasque and Varnakova, Winona State was able to escape with the set and the match by respective scores of 25-20 and 3-1.
Velasque led the way offensively with 17 kills while Steele also added double-digit kills of her own. Meanwhile, Emily Kalinowski (South Lyon, Mich.) supported her teammates with 41 assists. On the defensive end of the floor, Emily Hagelthorn (South Lyon, Mich.) led all players in digs with 23 while Haller and Lasley also notched double-digit digs with 16 and 10, respectively.
The Lakers return to action on Friday, Sept. 8 for their first two of four matches in the show-me state against Emporia State and the host school, Missouri S&T at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.