The Grand Valley State volleyball team fell to Ferris State on Thursday, Sept. 23. This is the first loss in the GLIAC for the Lakers. They now stand at 2-1 in conference play and 6-5 overall. 

The Lakers took the Bulldogs in five competitive sets. After winning the first set 27-25, the Lakers led the second set 4-0 to start. The Bulldogs were able to tie it up at 14-14 and pull away to win set two 20-25. GVSU responded with a hard fought win in set three, defeating the Bulldogs 29-27. In set four, the local rivals were tied 12-12. Ferris put a seven point rally together, taking the lead 13-20. The Lakers were unable to regain the lead and fell in set four 18-25. In set five, GVSU struggled to slow down the Bulldogs and fell in the final set 10-15. 

The Lakers finished the match with 62 kills (.139 hitting percentage), 86 digs, and 15 blocks. 

Senior Ali Thompson led the Lakers with 17 kills and 17 digs. The outside attacker finished with a team best .224 kill percentage. Junior Sarah Wight tallied 14 kills and five blocks, followed by senior Abby Graham who finished with 11 kills and 15 digs. Junior Lisa Sullivan finished with a career best 11 kills. Junior Erin O'Leary also finished with a career best 28 digs. 

"It was a disappointing loss at Ferris tonight," said head coach Jason Johnson. "I thought our team had a difficult time handling the environment we were playing in. Ferris's gym and fan base always create a unique, difficult environment to compete in and with this being the first time many of our kids have experienced it, we didn't respond as well as I would have liked. I thought we kept fighting throughout the evening but couldn't find a good rhythm to our offense or our defense. We will regroup for our match tomorrow at Davenport."

The Lakers are back on the road tomorrow night at Davenport University at 7:00 p.m.