HAMMOND, IND. – The Grand Valley women's volleyball team takes a break from GLIAC play this weekend, as they head down to the Hammond Sportscomplex in Indiana for the Midwest Region Crossover tournament. The Lakers take on GMAC member Hillsdale on Friday morning at 10am, then play GLVC opponent Lewis in the nightcap at 8pm.
 
The Lakers come into the tournament with a 13-6 record, and a 7-4 record in conference play. The Lakers have 877 kills as a team this campaign, led by Kendall Stover's 171 and 170 from Jordyn Gates. Rachel Jacquay and Gates continue to be the primary setters for GVSU, as Jacquay leads the squad with 355 assists and Gates has 349. At the net defensively, GVSU has Jaelianna Primus and Sarah Wight leading them in blocks, as Primus had 59 and Wight adds 45. This is the Lakers ninth nonconference game this year, and the seventh neutral site contest, with the Lakers being 5-1 in their previous six.
 
Hillsdale is 16-4 this year and 9-2 in the Greater Midwest Athletic Conference. The Chargers come into the weekend in second place in the GMAC north division and they were receiving votes in the latest AVCA coaches' poll. Sophomore outside hitter Marilyn Popplewell is the top attacker on the squad, recording 219 kills this season. Fellow outside hitter, Karoline Shelton is close behind with 215 kills this year. Sophomore setter Lauren Passaglia initiates the offense for the Chargers, tallying 637 assists this fall. Hillsdale is strong defensively at the net, blocking 185 attacks so far, led by Maizie Brown who has notched 78 total blocks.
 
Lewis enters the weekend as the twenty-second ranked team in the nation, as they are 13-6 so far this fall, while sitting in a tie for third place in the GLVC at 5-2. Bella Ray leads the Flyers both offensively and defensively, tallying 195 kills this season and 94 total blocks. Lauren Stenman runs the offensive attack for Lewis, as she has dished out 519 assists the season. The Flyers opponents have hit only .151 against them this fall, thanks to 171 team blocks and 1137 digs as a team, led by Andrea Zeiser's 309.
 
GVSU has a game on Saturday as well, but the opponent and game time are still to be determined, as opponents are scheduled based on Friday's results.
 
Up Next
Live stats and live video will be available for this weekend's games. For full coverage of the game, including live in-game updates, follow @GVSUVOLLEY on Twitter and visit gvsulakers.com.