Dec. 4, 2003

Box Score?|? Photo Gallery

Grand Valley State advances to the NCAA Division II Semifinals for the second straight year with a 3-0 (34-32, 30-26, 30-17) win over Nebraska-Kearney Thursday. The Lakers are now 30-7 overall and will face North Alabama on Friday, Dec. 5 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

The Lakers battled back in game one to pull out a 34-32 win which set the pace for the rest of the match. Grand Valley tallied 14 service aces and out blocked the Lopers 20-8. Senior Sabrina Bird led the team with a .429 attack percentage, three aces, and seven assisted blocks. Sophomore Tracy Kirk tallied a team-high 13 kills, three aces, and three blocks, while senior setter Nicole Bayle recorded 40 assists and 14 digs. Molly Young added a team-high 15 digs.

"The back row and our libero were getting me the ball, so it made my job easy," said Bayle. "We are definitely playing good volleyball at the right time."

"The first two games could have gone either way and it was key for us to pull out the first game," said head coach Deanne Scanlon. "This team keeps amazing me and we just have the ability to step up when they need to."

"North Alabama will be a fun game, it is the type of matchup you enjoy as a coach," said Scanlon. "They are an excellent team and it should be another great match."