Oct. 2, 2009

Box Score

Hillsdale, Mich. - Grand Valley State dropped a four-set contest to one of the top teams in the GLIAC, falling 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20) at Hillsdale on Friday night (Oct. 2). It was the first time all season that GVSU recorded fewer blocks than its opponent. The Lakers complete their weekend road trip with a 1:00 p.m. match at Findlay on Saturday (Oct. 3).

GVSU had won three straight matches against Hillsdale before falling on Friday night. The loss puts Grand Valley State at 9-7 overall and 5-3 in the GLIAC. Hillsdale improves to 14-2 with a 7-1 league tally.

The two teams were similar in a few statistical categories, as both GVSU and the Chargers totaled 50 kills and 71 digs. However, HC recorded a .208 attack percentage while the Lakers connected at a .101 clip. For the first time all season, Grand Valley State was controlled at the net, as Hillsdale recorded 19.0 total team blocks, including eight solo rejections. GVSU notched 7.0 blocks.

HC took an early lead in the opening set, with a 12-10 advantage. The Chargers then scored 10 of the set's next 13 points, opening up a 22-13 lead before moving ahead 1-0 with a 25-20 victory. It was GVSU's worst offensive set, as the Lakers hit just .-069, while Hillsdale recorded a .346 pace.

GVSU lead the second set early, 9-8, but extended its advantage to 17-10 with three kills in a five-point span from senior outside hitter Whitney Tremain. Hillsdale would rally to within 21-18 before junior middle blocker Rebeccah Rapin notched consecutive kills to push ahead, 23-18. Back-to-back putaways from senior Katey Crichton and Tremain ended the set, tying the match at 1-1. The Laker defense played much better, holding the Chargers to a .029 hitting percentage with eight errors. GVSU totaled 16 kills during the second set.

The third set saw Grand Valley State lead 12-9 midway through before Hillsdale knotted the score at 13-13. After taking an 18-16 advantage, HC would not trail again, closing out the set with another 25-20 win. Both teams had 13 kills in the third set, with GVSU hitting .111 and the Chargers connecting at a .184 mark.

Hillsdale finished the match in the fourth set, which was tied 11 different times. The final tie was at 15-15 before GVSU stayed close at 19-18 off of another Tremain kill. However, HC scored six of the next eight points and a .308 hitting percentage in the set to cap the victory.

Tremain led the Lakers, as she tied for the match-high with 16 kills. She recorded a double-double with 12 digs and notched three service aces, while hitting .227 for the match. Rapin also cracked double-digits in kills, as she supplied 11 putaways, three digs, and a pair of blocks.

Crichton continued to play well, as she recorded 14 digs and eight kills without committing an attack error. Junior Krysta Kornack blocked five balls and added four kills. Junior Meghan Scanlon (23 assists, seven digs) and freshman Olivia Kohler (20 assists, six digs) controlled the offense, while junior Janelle Beaudry notched a team-best 20 digs.