The Grand Valley State Lakers finished their first day in Springfield, Illinois with a tournament record of 1-1. After falling to No.8 Northwest Missouri State in five close sets, GVSU swept Mckendree University in three. This brings the Lakers to an overall record of 2-4 this season.
In the first match of the day, the Lakers started off with a big win in set one against Northwest Missouri. After tying up the score at 24-24, the Lakers and the Bearcats went point for point until Grand Valley was able to take home the first set with a final score of 32-30. Northwest Missouri won set two (19-25) before falling to the Lakers in set three (25-19).
The Lakers led most of set four until the Bearcats tied it up at 19-19. Northwest Missouri was able to gain the advantage, winning 22-25. Tied up at 2-2, GVSU was unable to pull away and fell in the final set 12-15.
Junior Sarah Wight led the Lakers with 18 kills and 8 blocks. Senior Ali Thompson tallied 10 kills and 17 digs, followed by Junior Jaelianna Primus with a total of 11 kills and junior libero Erin O'Leary finished the match with 27 digs.
"I am really excited for what lies ahead for this team," said head coach Jason Johnson. "We have played with some great teams so far this season, which will set us up for a tough start to our conference season next weekend. Northwest Missouri is a tough, physical, defensive minded team that made us extend rallies and pushed us to play error free volleyball. Unfortunately, the match ended in a fifth set loss. I felt we had control in the fifth, but just couldn't find a way to close it out. I know we will get there, but this is teaching them what it takes to play against nationally ranked teams and win."
In the second match of the day, the Lakers swept McKendree University in three sets (25-23, 25-19, 25-16). Junior Karlie Kucharczyk led the match with 11 kills, while Jaelianna Primus finished with seven kills and five blocks. Ali Thompson and Abby Graham each tallied 15 digs a piece.
"Our evening match against McKendree was a good win for us," said Johnson. "Getting a win against a regional opponent will help us as we move through the season and into post-season play. I thought the team played hard and after the last five matches, and as many sets as we have played already this season, it wasn't a pretty match but it was a win."
The Lakers are back in action on day two of the Capital Classic tomorrow. GVSU will resume play in the tournament hosted by University of Illinois Springfield at 2:00 p.m. and Lake Erie College at 5:00 p.m.
