ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State volleyball team fell in straight sets (18-25, 27-29, 21-25) against GLIAC foe Ashland on Saturday at the GVSU Fieldhouse. The Lakers drop to 5-8 overall and 1-4 in GLIAC play.
 
Ashland led statistically in most major categories including; attack percentage (.269-.130), kills (47-37), assists (43-35), and digs (61-37), while the Lakers held the edge in services aces (6-2).
 
Redshirt freshman Emma Clines had a team-high 11 kills for GVSU with sophomore Ali Thompson chipping in with eight kills. Freshman Jaeli Primus totaled seven kills and four total blocks to go along with a .273 attack percentage. Freshman setters Rachel Jacquay and Kaitlyn Beebe combined for 35 assists and freshman Karlie Kucharczyk led the team with 13 digs.
 
The first set was played evenly with no team gaining an advantage until midway through the set when Ashland went up 15-11. The Eagles would grow their lead to 19-15, but the Lakers would fight back and close the gap at 21-18. Ashland, however would rattle off four straight points to close the opening set.
 
GVSU jumped out to leads of 6-1 and 12-7 in set two before Ashland would tie the set at 16-16. The Eagles took a 23-20 lead, then the Lakers capitalized on attack errors to even the score at 23-23. Facing set point, GVSU had a kill by Kucharczyk to keep the set alive. The two teams would trade points until 27-27, but Ashland would score two straight points to win the set, 29-27.
 
The Lakers led early in set three, 8-4, before Ashland would soon tie the set at 10-10. The set was back and forth until the Eagles captured a 19-16 lead, a lead they would not give up. With the score 24-21, Ashland ended the match on a kill.
 
GVSU's next match will be on the road next Friday (Oct. 4) against Purdue Northwest at 8:00 (ET).