ALLENDALE, MICH. – The Grand Valley State volleyball team makes their home debut this weekend as they play four games as part of the Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic. The Lakers take on Colorado Christian Thursday night, followed by Tiffin and Clarion on Friday, before closing out the tournament with a matchup against Ursuline Saturday afternoon.
 
GVSU started their season last week at the Ferris State Invitational, where they went 2-0, sweeping both Thomas More and Malone. Jordyn Gates and Sarah Wight were both named to the All-Tournament team for their efforts on Saturday. Gates had 19 kills, 25 assists, and 13 digs, while Wight had 18 kills and eight blocks. Rachel Jacquay dished out a team-high 31 assists and Julia Blaney had 19 digs.
 
On Thursday night at 6:00, the Lakers take on Colorado Christian started the year 2-2 at the Oredigger Classic, defeating Augustana and Pittsburg State, while losing to San Francisco State and Fort Hays State. The Cougars are led offensively by Alli Douglass, who tallied 41 kills last weekend, and Abby Breeding, who notched 38 kills. The offense is run by setter Izzy Jones, who had 121 assists over the four games. This matchup will mark the first time in program history these two teams have played each other.
 
For the two games on Friday, GVSU will play Tiffin at 1:00, before taking on Clarion in the nightcap at 7:00. Tiffin has begun the season 3-1, knocking off Colorado-Pueblo, Ouachita Baptist, and New Mexico Highlands, and falling to Quincy all at the Texas A&M Kingsville tournament. Kennedi Goon had a strong opening weekend, tallying 43 kills and 14 blocks, while Wakaya Wilson and Josie Reinhart each had 30 or more kills as well. Setter Addison Conti distributed 112 assists and served 12 aces, and as a team the Dragons totaled 38 blocks and 41 aces. Tiffin and GVSU have played each other 12 other times heading into this matchup ,with the Lakers leading the series 11-1. Clarion has started the year at a perfect 4-0, beating Daemen, SVSU, Shippensburg, and Fayetteville State. The Golden Eagles were led by PSAC Player of the Week Cassidy Snider who recorded 64 kills and 36 digs. London Fuller dished out 164 assists on the weekend to direct the offense. This game will only be the third time these two have matched up, with GVSU winning the first two matchups.  
 
In the final game of the tournament, the Lakers will play Ursuline Saturday afternoon at 4:00. The Arrows started the season at the Fairmont State Classic, where they went 0-4, falling to Fairmont State, Slippery Rock, Anderson, and Elizabeth City State, with all losses being sweeps. Sophomore Amie McCarthy totaled 32 kills on the weekend to lead the offense, while setter Hannah Laurich dished out 67 assists. Ursuline and GVSU have never played before this tournament.
 
How to Follow
All four contests will have live stats and live video. For full coverage of the game, including live in-game updates, follow @GVSUVOLLEY on Twitter and visit gvsulakers.com.