Grand Valley State was unable to complete a weekend road sweep in Ohio, as the Lakers dropped a four-set contest at Lake Erie on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 1). GVSU won the third set and led in a number of statistical categories, but ultimately fell in the match by a 3-1 score (22-25, 19-25, 25-17, 18-25).

On Friday night, the Lakers won a tough 3-1 conference match at Ohio Dominican and looked to carry the momentum into Painesville on Saturday against the Storm. However, Lake Erie held GVSU to a .112 hitting percentage and owned a 13-3 edge in blocks in the home win.

The loss puts Grand Valley State at 8-6 on the year and 3-3 in GLIAC play, while Lake Erie - who nearly upset Ferris State on Friday before falling in five sets - improves to 10-6 overall and 3-3 in league action. It was LEC's first win over the Lakers in seven all-time meetings between the schools.

While Lake Erie led in hitting percentage (the Storm hit .185) and blocks, GVSU owned advantages in kills (53-47), assists (53-42), aces (5-1), and digs (86-82).

Sophomore Staci Brower's match-best 16 kills and .306 hitting percentage paced the Laker offense, while freshman Jayci Suseland supplied 15 kills. Both players recorded a solo block, while Brower totaled two aces. Sophomore outside hitter Brooke Smith delivered her second double-double of the weekend with 15 digs and 10 kills.

Freshman Sydney Benchley led all players with a career-high 27 digs, one of five Lakers with at least 10 digs. 

GVSU jumped out to a 7-2 advantage to start the match before Lake Erie began a comeback and tied the score at 11-11. At 13-13, the Lakers used a kill and an ace from Smith to push in front, 16-13. Lake Erie, however, scored four straight points to regain the lead at 17-16. Brower and freshman Kendall Yerkes put down consecutive kills and gave the Lakers a 21-18 cushion. The Storm would not go away; after a Brower kill put GVSU on top 22-20, Lake Erie rattled off the final five points of the set to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

Smith delivered a kill and Brower served up back-to-back aces to place Grand Valley State in front 8-6 in set two. Lake Erie scored four straight points and led 11-9 before Suseland delivered consecutive kills to tie the score, 11-11. The Storm continued to push ahead and opened a 21-17 advantage. A Smith kill and a Lake Erie hitting error brought GVSU with two at 21-19, but the Storm would again finish strong and score the final four points of the set to win 25-19.

After a pair of opening kills from Smith in set three, the Lakers reeled off four straight points on a pair of kills from both Brower and Suseland to lead 8-4. The score was 11-10 in GVSU's favor before the Lakers took over the set and forced five Lake Erie hitting errors, which opened a 19-12 cushion. Kills from Brower and Yerkes sandwiched an ace from Kaylene Norries and Grand Valley State led, 22-13. Two more Brower kills and a final one from Smith finished the set, 25-17.

With set four tied at 9-9, Lake Erie opened up a 14-10 lead with a big 5-1 run. GVSU tried to chip away at the deficit, but the teams continued to trade points and the Lakers would get no closer than two points the rest of the set. With a 22-18 lead, Lake Erie again closed out the set strong by scoring the final three points for the victory.

Junior Katie Olson handed out 43 assists and posted 11 digs, while putting away three kills. Yerkes picked up 10 digs and added five kills, while Norris recorded 10 digs, as well. 

Grand Valley State heads back to Allendale and will host a pair of contests next weekend. On Friday (Oct. 7) at 7:00 p.m., the Lakers welcome Tiffin into the Fieldhouse Arena. Saturday's (Oct. 8) contest against Ashland is a 4:00 p.m. match and is GVSU Volleyball Alumni Day.