ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State volleyball team won in straight sets (25-9, 25-21, 25-17) on Saturday over Purdue Northwest on Senior Day at the GVSU Fieldhouse. Prior to the match, seniors Kendall Yerkes and Frankie Cavallaro, who will both end their careers as four-year letter winners, were honored.
 
The Lakers are now 13-12 overall and 8-6 in GLIAC play with two conference matches remaining. GVSU remains in fifth place after the weekend's results.
 
Statistically, GVSU dominated the match and took advantage of 26 attack errors made by the Pride. The Lakers held the advantage in kills (35-22), assists (33-20), digs (44-41), blocks (5-4), and points (45-30). Individually, GVSU had a steady balance in their offensive attack. Sophomore Ali Thompson led with nine kills, while freshmen Karlie Kucharczyk and Jaeli Primus each totaled seven kills. Senior setter Frankie Cavallaro tallied 27 assists and senior Kendall Yerkes had 12 digs.
 
GVSU only trailed twice throughout the entire match and jumped out to a 6-0 lead to start the match. The Lakers were up 14-8 before going on a 9-0 run to put the set out of reach. Attack errors by the Pride on back-to-back points ended the set.
 
Purdue Northwest hung around early in the second set, but the Lakers extended a 12-7 lead to 17-9 on a pair of kills by sophomore Kaily Grulke. The Pride would get as close as 19-16 before GVSU used a kill by Primus and an attack error to win the set.
 
The Lakers led by as many as seven points to begin the third set, however the Pride fought back and cut their deficit to 18-15. GVSU would score the next five points to re-take a commanding lead and Thompson ended the match on a kill a few points later.
 
GVSU will travel to Ashland next Friday (Nov. 15) and Wayne State (Nov. 16) on Saturday to complete the regular season.