Aug. 29, 2008
Box Score
#6 Grand Valley State began the 2008 season with a convincing 3-1 win (25-11, 24-26, 25-14, 25-19) over Southern Indiana at the Missouri S&T "Middle of Everywhere" Classic in Rolla, Mo. on Friday afternoon. It was the first match of the season for both teams.
The Lakers jumped out ahead in set one, 12-6, with four kills from sophomore middle blocker Rebeccah Rapin. After a timeout by Southern Indiana, GVSU went on a 7-1 run to stay on top, 19-7. Grand Valley State hit a very solid .357 in the first set, including 15 kills and five errors, while the Screaming Eagles managed just two kills and a -.200 attack percentage.
Set two saw the score tied 8-8, which was the already the fourth tie of the set. The Lakers then built a 13-8 lead with the serving of sophomore Janelle Beaudry. A service ace from senior setter Jamie Ashmore made the score 19-12, while the seven-point advantage was the Lakers' largest of the set. USI would rally with a 9-2 run to tie the score at 21-21. The two teams tied up again at 24-24 before the Eagles recorded the final two points of the set. Neither team hit well in the second set, with GVSU recording a .135 hitting percentage and Southern Indiana totaling a .125 mark.
Ashmore continued her dominant serving to begin the third set, tallying the first 15 points, including a pair of service aces. During the 15-0 run, senior middle blocker Danielle Alexander recorded three kills and the GVSU defense forced seven attack errors by the Eagles. USI would get no closer than 10 points the rest of the set, as the teams exchanged points to finish the set. The Laker defense was dominant in set three, forcing Southern Indiana into a second set with a negative hitting percentage. USI managed just six kills and nine errors for a -.136 clip, while Grand Valley State connected for 10 kills and a .227 attack percentage.
The fourth set was Southern Indiana's best offensive effort, yet it was also GVSU's top output. Midway through the set, the score was in Grand Valley State's favor at 13-11. Neither team was able to get on much of a roll and sustain that run, but the Lakers outscored USI, 12-8, to close out the match. GVSU totaled a match-high 18 kills and just four errors for a .359 hitting percentage, while the Eagles committed just one error to their dozen kills for a .289 mark.
Senior outside hitter Lauren Reber hit .519 for the match. She paved the way for the Lakers with a match-best 16 kills and added seven digs, six block assists, and a pair of aces. Rapin provided 14 kills and three block assists, while Alexander added 11 kills, 11 block assists, and two service aces.
Controlling the GVSU offense was Ashmore, with 43 assists, seven digs, and three aces. Juniors Meredith Young and Katey Crichton had 14 and 13 digs, respectively, while newcomer Whitney Tremain notched six kills and six block assists.
Grand Valley State hit .255 for the match, holding Southern Indiana to an .071 mark. The Lakers recorded 60 kills to USI's 28 finishers. GVSU was also very strong at the net, as it totaled 29 block assists for 14.5 total team blocks. The Eagles had 10 block assists and 5.0 total team blocks.
While GVSU did serve eight aces, the Lakers committed 15 service errors. Southern Indiana tallied just one service ace in the match.
Grand Valley State will face a stiff early-season test on Friday evening, taking on #3 Truman State at 5:00 p.m. ET.
