ALLENDALE, MICH. – The GVSU women's volleyball team is at home this weekend for the Hampton Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic. The undefeated Lakers will play four games over three days in the final non-conference games before GLIAC play starts next week.
 
Tournament Central
Northwood: Live Stats | Video | 6:00 - Thursday
Tiffin: Live Stats | Video | 1:00 - Friday
MWSU: Live Stats | Video | 7:00 - Friday
Bemidji State: Live Stats | Video | 4:00 – Saturday
 
GVSU started the season 4-0 at the UIndy Invitational last weekend. They swept host Indianapolis to start, then beat IUP in four sets, followed by another sweep of KWC, and finally another four set win over Maryville. Brianna Stawski led the way, being named Tournament MVP and GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week, tallying 19 blocks and 29 kills on a .354 hitting percentage. Julia Blaney (69 digs) and Jordyn Gates (38 kills, 78 assists, 33 digs) were also named to the All-Tournament Team. The strong start to the season vaulted the Lakers from #24 in the preseason AVCA rankings up to #19 in this week's edition.
 
Northwood has also begun the season undefeated, going 3-0 at the Wayne State Invitational. They took down Ohio Dominican and Wayne State in five sets, then dispatched Frostburg State in a sweep. Sydney Hasenfratz led the offense the entire tournament, tallying 51 kills on a .470 hitting percentage. Setter Renee Brines dished out 132 assists on the weekend, while Kiana Martens had 41 kills and a team-high 35 digs. These two teams matched up last season at the Midwest Region Crossover Tournament, with GVSU coming away with a 3-0 sweep.
 
Starting out Friday for GVSU will be a matchup with Tiffin. The Dragons were also in Indianapolis last weekend, going 3-1, defeating Maryville, IUP, and Daemen, while falling to UIndy. Kenedi Goon had a monster weekend, recording 54 kills and 16 blocks, to earn All-Tournament honors. Joining her on the All-Tournament team was Kaylee Freund, who had 25 kills and 28 blocks. This will be the second straight year these two will play at GVSU, with the Lakers taking last year's matchup in four sets.
 
Rounding out Friday's slate is a game against Missouri Western State. The Griffons were 3-1 at the Oredigger Classic, losing in five sets to #5 Concordia-St. Paul, then sweeping Colorado Mines, Concord, and #13 Regis. They are now receiving votes in this week's AVCA rankings after not garnering any in the preseason. MWSU put out a balanced offensive attack, with Emily Loy, Holly Heldt, and Taylor Russell all notching over 30 kills on the weekend. Directing that offense was setter Nessa Johnson, who had 141 assists over the four games. Heldt, Johnson, and Anna Weberg all dug over 40 balls, with Lily Kurz recording 19 blocks. This will be just the second time the Lakers and Griffons have matched up, with the first being a 3-0 Laker sweep back in 2017.
 
In the lone game on Saturday, the Lakers take on Bemidji State. The Beavers are 2-2 on the year, splitting four games out in Hawaii. They beat Saint Martin's and Hawaii Pacific, while falling to Hawaii-Hilo and Western Oregon. Ashley Crowl totaled 63 kills and 39 digs on the weekend to lead the way for BSU, while Rylie Bjerklie added 45 kills. Emily Wade had 140 assists and three players had 10 or more blocks. This will also be just the second matchup between these two programs, with GVSU coming away with a home sweep in 2015.
 
How to Follow
All games will be available to stream on FloSports. The four games will also have live stats as well to follow along with. For full coverage of the game, including live in-game updates, follow @GVSUVOLLEY on Twitter and visit gvsulakers.com.